Foreign Ministry Denies Allegations of Meeting with Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denies Allegations of Official Bilateral Meeting with Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos at Ukraine Peace Summit
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Öncü Keçeli, has refuted claims that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had an official bilateral meeting with Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos at the Ukraine Peace Summit. Keçeli stated, “The news that the Fener Greek Patriarchate participated in the Ukrainian Peace Summit held in Switzerland on 15-16 June 2024 with state status and that our Minister held an official bilateral meeting with the Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos on the margins of the Summit do not reflect the truth.”
Keçeli also mentioned that an explanation was sought from Switzerland and Ukraine after the name of the Fener Greek Patriarchate was included as a signatory to the Joint Declaration. He emphasized, “After the Joint Declaration was accepted at the end of the summit and shared with the public, the name of the Fener Greek Patriarchate was also added as a signatory.” Keçeli further stated, “An explanation has been requested from the organizers of the Summit, Switzerland and Ukraine, regarding the allegations that the event was added. On the other hand, it is important to note that there has been no change in our state policy concerning the position of the Fener Greek Patriarchate.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is standing by its statement and is seeking further clarification on the matter. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
