Russian Patriarch Alexy II Visits Estonia
Published:
26 September 2003 y., Friday
Russian Patriarch Alexy II arrived Thursday for a five-day visit, his first since a bitter dispute over the status of the faithful in the republic threatened to split Orthodox Christians worldwide.
Estonians also see Alexy's visit as a signal from the Kremlin that it wants to improve relations. The nation of 1.4 million people has sparred with Moscow over several issues since it regained independence amid the 1991 Soviet collapse.
"It's not just any old trip. It is, I would say, a kind of step toward the normalization of Estonian-Russian relations," said Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Estonian parliament's foreign relations committee.
Alexy is uniquely positioned to carry a goodwill message, and not only because he's viewed as an emissary of the Russian government. He was born in Estonia in 1929, went to school here and reportedly speaks fluent Estonian.
Šaltinis:
AP
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Tomorrow, May 6, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain arrive in Lithuania on a two-day state visit.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus offered deep condolences to those who have lost their beloved ones in the tragic incident which happened at Azerbaijan's State Oil Academy, resulting in the loss of young lives.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus received Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
more »
At the international energy conference held in Vilnius on the initiative of Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have signed a declaration of agreement on energy projects of Baltic relevance.
more »
President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus received President of Radio Free Europe Jeffrey Gedmin.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus bade good-bye to the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Slovakia Mr. Ivan Špilda, who resided in Riga.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus received letters of credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Bogdan Benko.
more »
The Lithuanian Government has granted accreditation to Internet journalists and bloggers.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus participated in a Baltic Sea Round Table in Helsinki as part of the programme of his state visit to Finland.
more »
While on a state visit to Finland, President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus made a speech at a luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Helsinki Mr. Jussi Pajunen in the City Hall.
more »