Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 November 2024. Meeting of the IAO International Secretariat

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 November 2024. Meeting of the IAO International Secretariat



The autumn meeting of the IAO International Secretariat, was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Sarajevo, on 5 November 2024.

Participants at the meeting were: the vice-president of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Athanasios Bouras, and the MPs Mr. Athanasios Davakis, Mr. Theofilos Leontaridis and Mr. Apostolos Panas, from Greece, Mr. Irakli Kadagishvili, from Georgia, Mr. Peter Nikolaev Petrov, from Bulgaria, Mr. Hayk Tsirunyan, from Armenia, Mr. Panikos Leonidou, Mr. Marinos Mousiouttas and Mr. Ilias Myrianthous, from Cyprus, Ms. Ana Ivanovic and Mr. Alekcandar Cotric, from Serbia, Ms. Sorina Koti, from Albania, Ms. Manal Helal, from Egypt, Ms. Ljubica Miljanovic, Mr. Cedomir Stojanovic, Mr. Miroslav Vujicic and Mr. Darko Babalj, from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The IAO Advisor Dr. Kostas Mygdalis, also participated in the proceedings, while the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Ioan Vulpescu, from Romania, who was unable to attend due to the upcoming elections in his country, also intervened online.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 November 2024. Meeting of the IAO International Secretariat

The IAO Secretary General during his speech, he pointed out: “I would like to underline that the concern about the insistence of some circles to impose the woke culture, overriding traditional values, including Christian ones, is universal. This reflection now also affects political developments, as it happens in the crucial US elections. This message must be taken into account by everyone, especially in the EU, if we want a strong and united Europe in a troubled world.” The head of the IAO, referring to the unstable situation in the Middle East, noted that “the fears of escalation and extension of the conflict, with what this implies for the increase of the humanitarian disaster, are real. In view of this situation, the ΙΑΟ considers that what is important at this moment is an immediate ceasefire, a declaration of a ceasefire for as long as necessary, and return to dialogue with the participation of all parties involved in order to reach a solution, that will bring a lasting peace, with the establishment of an independent, democratic Palestinian state that will coexist peacefully with the state of Israel. Let me remind you that the ΙΑΟ, from the beginning we expressed our abhorrence for the barbaric attacks of October 7, 2023 and our support to Israel for the innocent victims of the blind violence by the members of Hamas.”

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 November 2024. Meeting of the IAO International Secretariat

A delegation of the ΙΑΟ met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Nebojša Radmanović, the first vice-president of the House of Peoples, Mr. Nikola Špirić, the second vice-president of the House of Representatives, Mr. Marinko Čavara, the deputies in the House of Peoples, Mr. Zdenko Ćosić and Mr. Džemal Smajić, and the member of the House of Representatives, Ms. Ermina Salkičević Dizdarević. The Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in their statements referred to the country’s difficult past and the steps that have been taken for the unity of society and its European perspective, for which they look forward to the support of the IAO.

During the meeting, the IAO Secretary General emphasized in his speech “fortunately, the war in Bosnia stands a bad memory. We are pleased to see your peaceful coexistence and your common vision to join the EU. There is no doubt that the future of the Balkans is not the so-called “tinderbox of Europe”. It is the future of cooperation, peace, development in a free, strong, prosperous Europe. The Balkans with their diversity, but also their traditions, culture and dynamism can make a decisive contribution to the process of forming the modern European identity. Because, in a multipolar world that emerges through competition, conflicts and even wars, Europe must have its own distinctive mark, not be subservient to third parties. That is why European integration needs to progress in the Western Balkans as well. Always, however, based on the conditions provided for all countries in their accession process. With respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

At the headquarters of the Metropolis of Dabar – Bosnia of the Serbian Patriarchate, the Archbishop of Sarajevo and Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia of the Serbian Patriarchate Chrysostomos, in a modest ceremony, in the presence of the Members of the International Secretariat from 10 parliaments, and with the audience calling “Axios”, awarded the head of the IAO with the Golden Order of St.Peter of Dabar-Bosnia.

Thanking the Archbishop of Sarajevo for his overall contribution to Orthodoxy, the IAO Secretary General said: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the highest honor of awarding me the “Golden Order” of St. Peter of Dabar-Bosnia. Please accept my sincere feelings of gratitude for this gesture of yours. Personally, I believe that honoring our activity, during the period for which I have the honor and responsibility of leading the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy – however rich and diverse it may be – the work of the IAO as a whole is honored, as well as all those who were inspired, worked and are still working for its implementation”. Concluding, he underlined that “today’s award therefore gives us the strength to continue, with even more confidence and optimism, the work that started in 1993. With your own blessings and God’s help, we are sure that better days will come for the Balkans, for Orthodoxy and humanity”.

The IAO members during their stay in Sarajevo, visited the old church of Archangel Michael, which is a UNESCO protected monument, while also visiting the Museum, with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, many of them from the Cretan School.

Also, the IAO members visited East Sarajevo, where they were received by the Mayor of the Municipality of East Ilidža, Mr. Marinko Božović, and were guided to the Žarko Vidović” Gallery, which is dedicated to an important form of culture of the Orthodox Serbs of Sarajevo.

Later the same day, the Greek delegation led by the IAO Secretary General, the Cypriot delegation and the Serbian delegation visited Banja Luka.

The members of the delegation had a meeting with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Milorad Dodik at the presidential palace in Banja Luka. During the meeting, the IAO Secretary General emphasized: “Our meeting is a special honor to us and the information you provided is extremely useful. As the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy we came here to Sarajevo and Banja Luka to support our Serbian Orthodox brothers, and because we firmly believe in the need for peaceful collaboration in the Balkans.”

The head of the IAO also pointed out that “the IAO supports the European orientation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as all the countries of the Western Balkans, while looking forward to strengthening the voice of Orthodoxy within the EU. Unfortunately, the current situation is extremely difficult, as there are two wars, one between two peoples of same faith, in Ukraine, after the Russian invasion, and the other in the Middle East. We hope that soon there will be ceasefire and the time for diplomacy will return.” Finally, he expressed his pleasure that the first presentation of the Serbian edition of the award-winning of the Academy of Athens volume of the IAO: “Hagia Sophia – The Churches of the Wisdom of God around the world” took place in East Sarajevo and Banja Luka.

On his part, Mr. Milorad Dodik expressed his satisfaction at having the opportunity to host the IAO delegation, which, during its three decades of existence, has successfully represented and preserved the Orthodox identity, promoted Christianity and cultivated the culture of dialogue. He also emphasized that the institutions of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church have an excellent relationship and collaboration and that the Church is the most important part of the Serbian national identity.
The above was also posted on the official website of the presidency of the Republic of Serbia

East Sarajevo and Banja Luka, 7 November 2024. Presentation of the volume

The IAO delegation had a meeting at the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska with a delegation of parliamentarians led by the Vice Presidents Mr. Petko Rankic and Ms. Anja Liubojevic.

After the meeting, the IAO Secretary General and the vice president of the parliament Mr. Petko Rankic made statements to the media of the Republic of Srpska. The head of the IAO extended warm thanks to the vice-president, the parliament of the Republic of Srpska for the warm hospitality and for the very fruitful exchange of views, and underlined that “with the Orthodox Serbs of the Republic of Srpska, as well as with all the Orthodox in the Balkans in Central and Eastern Europe we share the wealth of the common faith, the common cultural heritage of Orthodoxy. As an international institution we work for the closer collaboration and solidarity of the Orthodox peoples and for the promotion of Christian values in Europe and around the world. And we are glad that the parliament of the Republic of Srpska is actively participating with its parliamentary delegation in the IAO activity. The Balkans for many centuries were considered the tinderbox of Europe. However, the future of the Balkans, our wider region, is within the EU, in a Europe of peace, respect for rights and prosperity for all”.

For his part, the Vice President Mr. Petko Rankic stated that “the meeting took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. We aimed to identify the most concrete solutions for the extent of parliamentary practice based on the traditional unity of Orthodoxy as an important cultural and spiritual factor for overcoming national and religious differences. We are grateful to the IAO delegation for the opportunity to share knowledge about the activities of our parliament and its determination to continue to contribute to the process of European integration.”

The IAO delegation, during its stay in Banja Luka, attended church at the Church of the Savior and was subsequently received by the Metropolitan Ephraim of Banja Luka.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 November 2024. Meeting of the IAO International Secretariat

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