Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia has told Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland he is concerned about human rights issues.
“Human rights have concerned me lately as patriarch,” he said while meeting with Jagland in Strasbourg on Monday.
“Rights and freedoms either unite people or divide them,” the patriarch said, adding that the Council of Europe “promotes unification, with an emphasis on human rights.” He said he “fully” understands the significance of the Council of Europe, which has formed “a foundation for possible integration of the European countries”, Interfax-religion reports.
Jagland, in turn, said the visit by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to Strasbourg confirms that the Council of Europe defends freedom of religion and inter-religious dialogue.