The first visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who came to Istanbul after Ankara as part of official visits, was to the Greek Patriarchate of Istanbul. Sherman got together with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Sherman, who was welcomed by the Patriarchate officials, visited the Aya Yorgi Patriarchate Church and lit a candle after getting information about the church. Patriarch Bartholomew hosted Sherman after his church visit.
“I am honored to meet today with Patriarch Bartholomew, a respected leader in the Orthodox world with a population of more than 300 million worldwide” said US Deputy Secretary of State Sherman.
Stating that the USA has a long-standing relationship with the Patriarchate, Sherman stated that it cooperates in global problems that transcend national borders and that he is happy to see the Patriarchate as a partner to promote religious freedoms around the world.
‘TWO LEADERS WILL GET TOGETHER’
Referring to the meetings that will take place between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden in Brussels in June, Sherman said, “The two leaders will meet in Brussels to talk about the strategic relations between Turkey and the United States.”
Patriarch Bartholomew also stated that he was pleased with the visit and said, “I heard in the press that our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the US President Joe Biden will meet in Brussels to cooperate. I think this is a sign that relations are at a good level” he said.
Patriarch Bartholomew said, “I will be visiting the USA in October and looking forward to meeting with US President Joe Biden. We have good relations with him. He visited the Patriarchate twice while he was the Vice President of the USA.”
The meeting then continued as closed to the press. (Cumhuriyet)
