Today, 5 January 2015, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church received, on an introductory visit, His Excellency Mr Fuad Kokaly, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Palestine in Bucharest, accompanied by His Grace Qais Sadiq, Bishop of Erzurum (Patriarchate of Antioch).
Mr Ambassador Fuad Kokaly thanked for reception and presented various aspects of the hard situation in the Middle East caused by the conflicts within certain countries in the region, conflicts which bring about great issues to the peoples in this part of the world, as well as to the Palestinian people, especially to Christians.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel expressed his hope that the prayers to Almighty God, the efforts of the responsible factors in the region and the international support will identify solutions for a lasting peace to contribute to the good relations among all the people who live here.
During the meeting, His Beatitude underlined the importance the Romanian Patriarchate and Palestine give to the Romanian Hostel for pilgrims of Jericho assigned to receive the Romanian pilgrims who visit the Holy Places every year, through Basilica Travel Pilgrimage Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Thus, given the request of Mr Ambassador Fuad Kokaly, both parts analysed the possibility that the Palestinian Orthodox students should study in the future at the Faculties of Orthodox Theology of Romania, in order to contribute to better cooperation between the two peoples.
To end with the meeting, Mr Ambassador Fuad Kokaly expressed his desire that a future visit of the Patriarch of Romanian to the Holy Places should include top meetings with the Palestinian officials.
Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
