Bulgarian Foreign Minister Visits Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch In Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi visited on Thursday Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul.
During the meeting, Bartholomew said that the Greek Orthodox and Bulgarian churches were sister churches and had good relations.
Bartholomew expressed pleasure with Bulgaria's NATO membership and said that he was appreciating efforts of Bulgaria and Turkey on the road to European Union (EU) membership.
Wishing that Turkey would become an EU member without any delay, Bartholomew said, ''Turkey has taken determined steps for EU membership within the last two years. It has updated its laws and adjusts itself to Europe and European facts. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has great role in these steps.''
Pasi said that he was grateful about Bartholomew's efforts for peace and humanity.
Noting that he could define Bartholomew as a symbol of integration with the EU, Pasi said that the EU could not yet achieved that integration, but the Patriarchate had.
Pasi emphasized that the NATO summit to be held in Istanbul in the following month was timely, adding that they should work hard.
(BRC-AÖ) 27.05.2004