Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis was received at the Holy See on Friday afternoon by the Vatican’s Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, conveying an invitation from the Greek government for the Pope to visit our country.
The discussions focused on migration and Turkey’s role, developments in Libya and other regional issues, with emphasis on the problems of Christian communities in the Middle East.
The Cyprus issue, EU enlargement in the Western Balkans and the further promotion of bilateral cultural and educational relations were also discussed.
More specifically, the talks focused in large part on the migration issue, with the Alternate Minister stressing that Turkey should comply with the provisions of the EU-Turkey Joint Statement of 2016.
Referring to the radiance of Pope Francis’ personality and his recent visit to Iraq, Mr. Varvitsiotis highlighted the importance of Arab-Christian communities in Egypt and Syria, as well as that of Christian minorities in Turkey.
On the Cyprus issue, the Alternate Minister stressed that the solution must be in accordance with the UN resolutions for a bicommunal, bizonal federation as well as with the acquis communautaire, underscoring, in this regard, the importance of the active presence of the EU and, of course, of the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops.
Finally, Mr. Varvitsiotis and Archbishop Gallagher considered ways to promote bilateral cultural and educational relations, with the Alternate Minister referring to the Greek government’s invitation for the Pope to visit our country.
