Thursday, February 28, 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Former NATO Chief Warns Belarus About Putin
A former NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Denmark, Anders Fogh Rasmussen,gave a warning to Belarus in an interview he gave to Ukrainian website Liga.net:
The key risk is the repetition of the Ukrainian scenario that includes war and annexation in Belarus.I would advise Belarus to introduce reforms leading to democracy and freedom.
We remember that statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin; he said that Belarus should become part of 'the great Russian power,'as well as the Crimean Peninsula.And I would like Belarus to get more assistance from the West; but we need to see Belarus switch to freedom and democracy.
Yes, he (Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko) does not want to do that; but he also does not want to live under Putin's pressure.He needs to choose between reforming and the Russians' tightening grip.*
As an example of this pressure,Mr.Lukashenko considered a response to NATO deploying intermediate range missiles in Europe in reaction to Russia's violation of the INF Treaty:
Because, together with Russia, we will have to think of reciprocal measures.It would be unavoidable if this happened.It would be even worse if,God forbid, missiles were deployed in Ukraine.*
Mr.Rasmussen was NATO Secretary General from 2009-14.
The key risk is the repetition of the Ukrainian scenario that includes war and annexation in Belarus.I would advise Belarus to introduce reforms leading to democracy and freedom.
We remember that statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin; he said that Belarus should become part of 'the great Russian power,'as well as the Crimean Peninsula.And I would like Belarus to get more assistance from the West; but we need to see Belarus switch to freedom and democracy.
Yes, he (Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko) does not want to do that; but he also does not want to live under Putin's pressure.He needs to choose between reforming and the Russians' tightening grip.*
As an example of this pressure,Mr.Lukashenko considered a response to NATO deploying intermediate range missiles in Europe in reaction to Russia's violation of the INF Treaty:
Because, together with Russia, we will have to think of reciprocal measures.It would be unavoidable if this happened.It would be even worse if,God forbid, missiles were deployed in Ukraine.*
Mr.Rasmussen was NATO Secretary General from 2009-14.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019
Prince Charles Visits Romanian Orthodox in London
On 14 February 2019,His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales attended a Romanian Orthodox Church service at St.Dunstan-in-the-West,Fleet Street, London.The Anglican church hosts a Romanian Orthodox parish. Over 200 people were in attendance at the special event.
HRH was escorted by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Central Europe.When Prince Charles arrived, he was greeted by a woman with bread and salt, the traditional Orthodox greeting for an eminent person.The Prince took the time to chat with several parishioners, some of whom wore ethnic attire.HRH has made a point of visiting Orthodox churches both at home and abroad.He is of Greek Orthodox heritage.*
The Choir of the Friends of Mt.Athos performed Byzantine music at the service.Prince Charles is patron of the choir.*
Following the service,HRH lit a candle before an icon of the Saviour and viewed the iconostasis installed in the church.*
Prince Charles created the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania in 2015 to carry out charitable endeavours such as supporting architectural heritage preservation; farming;and sustainable development in the Eastern European country.
HRH was escorted by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Central Europe.When Prince Charles arrived, he was greeted by a woman with bread and salt, the traditional Orthodox greeting for an eminent person.The Prince took the time to chat with several parishioners, some of whom wore ethnic attire.HRH has made a point of visiting Orthodox churches both at home and abroad.He is of Greek Orthodox heritage.*
The Choir of the Friends of Mt.Athos performed Byzantine music at the service.Prince Charles is patron of the choir.*
Following the service,HRH lit a candle before an icon of the Saviour and viewed the iconostasis installed in the church.*
Prince Charles created the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania in 2015 to carry out charitable endeavours such as supporting architectural heritage preservation; farming;and sustainable development in the Eastern European country.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Greek Prime Minister Visits Turkey,Meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew and President Erdogan
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has made an official visit to Turkey,showing support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate while keeping the Greek-Turkish dialogue alive.On 6 February 2019,Mr.Tsipras attended a Divine Liturgy with His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople at Holy Trinity Monastery on Heybeliada Island,Turkey.The monastery grounds contain the shuttered Halki Theological School,which the Turkish authorities closed in the 1970s.Later in the day,Mr.Tsipras called for the reopening of the School,which,he said:
would be evidence of friendship,mutual understanding and brotherhood.
Religious faith should bring people together,not divide them.*
The School was founded in 1844.Its alumni include several luminaries,among them being the late Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras,as well as Patriarch Bartholomew.*
Prime Minister Tsipras was the first Greek premier to visit the School in more than 90 years.Later on Wednesday,he visited what many consider to have been the greatest church of the Byzantine era,Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.*
On Tuesday 5 February,Mr.Tsipras met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara,seeking to bolster relations between the two neighbours.Positive results of the talks included keeping the lines of communication open;arranging a meeting between the Greek and Turkish ministers of defence;and establishing a Greek/Turkish business forum in Thessaloniki,Greece.
President Erdogan said all issues between the two NATO Allies could be solved:
on an equitable basis and in a peaceful way.*
Mr.Erdogan linked the Halki Theological School reopening to the issue of the treatment of Turks living in Western Thrace,Greece,including their right to elect their own muftis.A set of talks should be held to resolve both issues.
would be evidence of friendship,mutual understanding and brotherhood.
Religious faith should bring people together,not divide them.*
The School was founded in 1844.Its alumni include several luminaries,among them being the late Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras,as well as Patriarch Bartholomew.*
Prime Minister Tsipras was the first Greek premier to visit the School in more than 90 years.Later on Wednesday,he visited what many consider to have been the greatest church of the Byzantine era,Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.*
On Tuesday 5 February,Mr.Tsipras met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara,seeking to bolster relations between the two neighbours.Positive results of the talks included keeping the lines of communication open;arranging a meeting between the Greek and Turkish ministers of defence;and establishing a Greek/Turkish business forum in Thessaloniki,Greece.
President Erdogan said all issues between the two NATO Allies could be solved:
on an equitable basis and in a peaceful way.*
Mr.Erdogan linked the Halki Theological School reopening to the issue of the treatment of Turks living in Western Thrace,Greece,including their right to elect their own muftis.A set of talks should be held to resolve both issues.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Friday, February 1, 2019
Eastern Europe Update: Ukraine, Bulgaria,INF Treaty
Since 6 January 2019, when the Tomos of Autocephaly was handed over to the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, more than 100 parishes have left the Moscow Patriarchate for the OCU.This is more than left the MP in the five years since Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea and instagtion of the Donbas War in Eastern Ukraine, said His Eminence Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya) of Chernihiv Nizhyn at a roundtable discussion.*
The majority of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, including His Holiness Patriarch Neophytos, reportedly backs the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but has referred the matter to the Synod's canonical committee for further study.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the United States has suspended adherence to the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia for six months, during which time Russia may revive the agreement by withdrawing its illegal weapons from Europe.NATO agrees that Russia has persistently violated the Treaty by stationing cruise missiles in Europe.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will continue to talk to Russia about the INF Treaty during the suspension.
The majority of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, including His Holiness Patriarch Neophytos, reportedly backs the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but has referred the matter to the Synod's canonical committee for further study.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the United States has suspended adherence to the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia for six months, during which time Russia may revive the agreement by withdrawing its illegal weapons from Europe.NATO agrees that Russia has persistently violated the Treaty by stationing cruise missiles in Europe.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will continue to talk to Russia about the INF Treaty during the suspension.
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