Pat. Bartholomew withdraws his signature from 'Summit of Peace' Communiqué

Patriarch Bartholomew and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: www.aa.com.tr

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has withdrawn his signature from the 'Summit of Peace' Communiqué, which took place in Switzerland on June 14-15, 2024.

On the official website of the Swiss government on June 26, an updated list of signatories appeared, which no longer includes the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, although on June 16 it was reported that Patriarch Bartholomew signed the document.

After the list of signatories, it is now stated that "the Ecumenical Patriarchate was present at the summit as an observer and supports the principles outlined in the Joint Communique."

It is noteworthy that this is already the third case where the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has changed its stance on the summit's final document. Initially, the Patriarchate did not sign the communique, then it did sign it, and now it has withdrawn its signature once again.

Representatives from the Ukrainian side have not yet provided official comments regarding the change in the position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Turkish authorities requested explanations from the organizers of the Swiss peace conference on Ukraine due to the inclusion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the list of signatories of the joint declaration.

Turkey's state policy towards the Phanar (Ecumenical Patriarchate) remains unchanged. Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that they do not recognize Bartholomew's title as "Ecumenical Patriarch", noting that according to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, he retains the status of the head of the Greek Orthodox community in Turkey.

It is also known that Zelensky thanked the head of the Phanar for signing the "Summit of Peace" Communique.

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