INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGE: THE PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I INVITED TO THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

” “The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will be one of the guests of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that will meet in Strasbourg from 22nd to 26th January for its winter session. The Orthodox leader will speak in front of the floor of the Council, founded in 1949, with 46 member states, on the opening day, "as part of the promotion of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, one of the priorities – explains the press office of the CoE – of the president of the Assembly, René van der Linden". Also high on the agenda are a debate on the current situation of Kosovo, in front of Martti Ahtisaari, special envoy of the UN Secretary General for the process of determination of the future status of the Balkan country. In addition, political news and the relation between the Council of Europe and the European Union will be discussed by the Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt, and by the Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis. The agenda also includes a debate on abused children and the problem of the spreading of Hiv/Aids.” “