The possibility for a meeting of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the Archbishop of America, Elpidoforos in New York is open.

Speaking to SKAI this morning, the government spokesman described as “over” the issue that arose from the presence of Elpidoforos at the inauguration of the “House of Turkey” in Manhattan, alongside the occupation leader Ersin Tatar and the Turkish president. Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At the same time, he left open the possibility that the Mitsotaki-Elpidoforou meeting would finally take place, after the “apology” of the latter.

“It simply came to our notice then. That was to be said, it was said. The messages were clear. He made a clarifying statement and everyone got the answers they needed. Being with the head of an unrecognized state could be avoided,” said Giannis Oikonomou, adding:

“The issue is over after the statements. The Greek government and the Archbishop can only be on the same side in everything, despite the unfortunate things that happen from time to time. I think there will be a meeting. “Because the prime minister’s program has changed, I do not know if he will go to Point Zero, but I think there will be a meeting.”

Mea culpa from Elpidoforos

Earlier, the Archbishop of America Elpidoforos gave an explanation for their presence at the inauguration of the “House of Turkey”. The occupying leader of Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, was present at the same event, next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“I am sincerely sorry for the pain I inadvertently caused to my Cypriot and Greek-American brothers, especially to my favorite flock,” said Mr. Elpidoforos, stressing that as a citizen of Constantinople he knows what uprooting and refugee means.

The announcement of Mr. Elpidoforos states:

“As a Greek from Istanbul, my family and I have experienced the terrible consequences of the uprooting from our ancestral homes, like many of my compatriots, but also of the Imbrians and Tenedians, due to another escalation of the Cyprus issue in the 70s. I have grown up with this pain, that is why I understand the pain of our Cypriot brothers, as well as their feelings and reactions. I consider them expressions of pain of people who lost everything: property, homelands, dreams, family, relatives.

So I want to declare to everyone that my presence at Monday’s event could never be a recognition of a calamity, an uprooting, an occupation. My presence has always had the same constant orientation: honest and courageous dialogue, for a future with peace and protection of religious freedom. We are all united in defending our national interests, each in his own way and role. But united, committed to the same goal.

I sincerely regret the pain I inadvertently caused to my Cypriot and Greek-American brothers, especially to my beloved flock. I pray for a just and lasting solution to be found in the martyrdom of Cyprus, as the Cypriot people expect it, based on international law and the protection of human rights, in accordance with UN resolutions, and I work for this purpose.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America stands for a century next to Hellenism everywhere, defending its expectations. “Our unity is my ministry and my debt.”

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