2019 / 11 / 21

On November 18-19, 2019, as part of the inter-religious dialogue of the European People’s Party (EPP), Rondeli Foundation organized a visit to Brussels for representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church and other religious denominations. The meetings were held at NATO headquarters, in the European Parliament, and the European Commission.

On November 18, the delegation met with the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary-General for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai. The delegation discussed the plan for Georgia’s membership in NATO and the participation of various religious communities in this process.

On the same day, EPP Secretary-General Antonio López-Istúriz, and the party’s Foreign Secretary discussed with the participants the issues related to the territorial integrity of Georgia and the current political turmoil in Tbilisi. They also spoke about the arrest of Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili in the Tskhinvali region. Participants noted that their cooperation will positively contribute to resolving issues that are beneficial to Georgia. The delegation also met with the co-chair of the European Parliament’s Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue, and members of the Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches in the European Union. Guests from Georgia also attended a session of the European Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee.

On November 19, members of the delegation attended a seminar on “The Role of Churches and Religious Communities in the Process of Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention”.     

Brussels Visit of Religious Denominations, 18-19 November, 2019