Press Release

Istanbul, 9 June 2000

4th Dialogue EPP-ED and Orthodox Church: a bridge between Eastern and Western Christian worlds and between Moslems and Christians

The symbolism of the city of Istanbul, as the city that unites Europe with Asia and it is the place of co-existence of Christian and Muslim worlds, was underlined by HAH the Patriarch Bartholomew and the EPP-ED Group chairman Mr. Hans-Gert Poettering at the opening of the two-days meeting of dialogue between the EPP-Ed Group and the Orthodox Church.

The 4th Dialogue between the EPP-ED Group and the Orthodox Church is held under the general theme: Civil Society, Human Rights, Quality of Life which was developed by speakers from both sides.

HAH the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stressed out that:
“We gather these two days several crossroads: a. In this city of Istanbul, the ancient and eternal city of Constantinople, which is the crossroads of civilizations; b. In the bosom of the Church, which is the crossroads between the earth o n which we live and the heaven to which we live and the heaven to which we aspire; c. And in this millennial year, which is the crossroads between eras. Indeed, we gather at this auspicious moment in history to deliberate on themes that bear upon the well-being, not only of all people who live in Europe, but also of people throughout the world: a strong civil society, the protection of human rights, and the quality of life. Certainly, these themes are important to all people generally, but particularly to those who would take upon themselves leadership responsibilities with regard to the physical, political and spiritual lives of others. This is why this dialogue is both important in its content and quite natural to the relationship between religious and political leaders”.

The Ecumenical Patriarch underlining the role of the Orthodox Church in the development of civil society and the respect of human rights said: “the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1998 already started sensitizing the Orthodox World and indeed every person of good will about the urgency to preserve the nature, of which we humans are the stewards, according to the wish of God. This was precisely the meaning of the scientific symposia we organized in cooperation with the European Union, as well as the other ecological activities of our Church. The lesson of the Kosovo for us today, however, as we enter this dialogue, is that, while Christianity in large part formed western civilization, today more than ever, the faith we have as Christians, in Europe and globally, requires that we respect the religious beliefs of others. There are, among the world’s religious traditions, shared moral imperatives, upon which we can draw, that compel us to work together to achieve peace. At a conference where we are discussing such issues as they relate to the future of Europe, we must ever remind ourselves of the necessity of drawing upon these shared commitments, so that human rights, civil society, and quality of life may truly be achieved for all”.

EPP-ED Group Chairman Has-Gert Poettering said that “through our dialogue we are seeking to unite eastern and western Christianity in practical matters concerning the whole of Europe”. And added that “at the heart of this dialogue is our shared aim to renew the Christian cornerstone of the European project”.

Mr Poettering referring to the place where is held the meeting said: “Now in this great city of Istanbul, which bridges western and eastern Europe, which bridges Islam and Christianity, we must be mindful in our dialogue of the need to define the values underpinning society which are coherent with the religious life of Moslems and Christians”. He also praised for a continuous dialogue between Moslems and Christians and said that the EPP-ED Group is in favor of it. Naming the aims of the meeting, Mr Poettering enumerated them as follows :

The first aim of this dialogue is an end to one thousand years of separate development among Europe’s Christians, in the same way that Christian Democrats put an end to fratricidal wars among the people’s of Europe after the Second World War.

The second aim of this dialogue is one of encouraging the churches in accession states such as Bulgaria and Romania, and potentially Serbia, to take action for the development of civil society, human rights, democracy and the quality of life of people.

The third aim of this dialogue is that the Group and its sister parties should deepen their relationship with church leaders in shaping the Soul of Europe.


The delegation of the EPP-ED Group headed by its Chairman Hans-Gert Poettering is composed by the MEP’s: Mrs Teresa ALMEIDA GARRET, Mr Guido BODRATO, Mr Francesco FIORI, Mr Christos FOLIAS, Mrs Cristina GUTIERREZ-CORTINES, Mrs Marrieta GIANNAKOU, Mrs Eija-Ritta Anneli KORHOLA, Mrs Rodi KRATSA, Mr John McCARTHIN, Mr Yannis MARINOS, Mrs Ana PALACIO VALLERSUNDI, Mr José Javier POMÉS RUIZ, Mr Reinhard RACK, Mr Christian ROVSING, Mr Jacques SANTER, Mrs Ursula STENZEL, Mr Antonios TRAKATELLIS, Mr Wim van VELZEN, Mr Christos ZACHARAKIS,


For further information please contact EPP-ED Group Press Officer Mr. Yannis Zografos (GSM +32 75 598189)