Serbian Patriarch received the Head of the Council of Europe Mission in Belgrade

His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch received His Excellency Tobias Flessenkemper, Chief of Mission of the Council of Europe to the Republic of Serbia at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade, on April 13, 2021.

The central topic of the open conversation, conducted in a friendly spirit, was related to interfaith cooperation. The head of the Serbian Patriarchate was pleased to point out that the Serbian Orthodox Church nurtures good relations with the heads and representatives of all traditional churches and religious communities in the region.

The responsibility of all communities in solving climate and environmental problems that the whole world is facing was also discussed. The patriarch pointed out that the earth is God's creation that gives us conditions for life, so it is our obligation to take care of it in an appropriate way. Mr. Flesenkemper pointed out that the Office of the Council of Europe in Belgrade is ready to cooperate with the Serbian Orthodox Church on the mentioned issues.

Mr. Flesenkemper also welcomed the Council of Europe's commitment to equality and diversity, and the Holy Patriarch listened with interest to the Council of Europe's reference to the Framework of Reference for Democratic Culture as a basis for quality education for all.