The 9th dialogue between the Group of the European People’s Party and Orthodox Churches

The ninth dialogue between the European Parliamentary Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and Orthodox Churches took place in Istanbul on October 20-21, 2005. Among the speakers were: Patriarch Bartholomew, Croatian Prime-Minister Ivo Sanader, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina Suleyman Tihic, Wilfred Martens, President of the European People’s Party and Dr. Petering, Chairman of the Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats). Among the participants were deputies of the European Parliament and representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches.

The theme of the dialogue: ‘Foundations for European Solidarity and Cooperation Making Enlargement Possible’ shaped the format of the reports. The speakers touched upon the problems of developing institutions of civil society, non-discrimination and regional cooperation in South-Eastern Europe.

The Moscow Patriarchate was represented by Bishop Phillip of Poltava and Kremenchug and Rev. Antony Ilijn, secretary of the Representation to the International Organizations.

Adopted was the declaration on the development in the South-Eastern Europe from in the context of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.