Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis held a meeting with the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, in the Holy See on Friday afternoon.
During the meeting, they discussed issues related to immigration and the role of Turkey, developments in Libya and other regional issues, with an emphasis on the problems of Christian communities in the Middle East, according to an announcement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They also discussed the Cyprus issue, the enlargement of the Western Balkans, as well as the further promotion of bilateral cultural and educational relations.
In particular, much of the discussion focused on immigration, with the deputy minister stressing that Turkey should comply with the provisions of the 2016 EU-Turkey statement.
Referring to Pope Francis and his recent visit to Iraq, the Greek deputy minister stressed the importance of the Arab-Christian communities in Egypt and Syria, as well as the Christian minorities in Turkey.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, the deputy minister stressed that the solution must be in line with the United Nations resolutions on a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation and the acquis communautaire, stressing in this regard the importance of an active EU presence and the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops.
Finally, they jointly discussed ways to promote bilateral cultural and educational relations with the deputy minister referring to the invitation by the Greek government to the Pope to visit Greece.
Source: ANA-MPA
