Statement from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Keçeli regarding the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

Öncü Keçeli issued a statement following reports that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held an official bilateral meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, at the Ukraine Peace Summit. 

Denying the claims, Spokesperson Keçeli stated, "Reports that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople participated in the Ukraine Peace Summit held in Switzerland on June 15-16, 2024, with state status, and that our Minister held an official bilateral meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, on the sidelines of the summit, do not reflect the truth."

Spokesperson Keçeli noted that an explanation had been requested from Switzerland and Ukraine after the name of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was subsequently added as a signatory to the Joint Communiqué, stating, "Regarding the claims that the name of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was subsequently added as a signatory to the Joint Communiqué adopted and shared with the public at the end of the summit, an explanation has been requested from the summit organizers, Switzerland and Ukraine. Furthermore, it is self-evident that there has been no change in our state policy regarding the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople."