On May 15, Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in the Foreign Ministry with Head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, His Holiness Patriarch-Catolicos Abune Matthias I, who is in Moscow at the invitation of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

During their meeting, Mr Lavrov emphasised that having approaches to international issues that align with the basic values of major global religions that form the spiritual basis of solidarity between all people remains one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities. In this context, Moscow welcomes the contacts between the Russian and Ethiopian Orthodox churches that are linked by historical bonds of communication and believes that they can help accomplish the common task of creating an atmosphere of tolerance and accord in the world.

Mr Lavrov and Patriarch Abune Matthias I discussed pressing issues related to the further development of traditionally friendly Russia-Ethiopia relations, including humanitarian contacts. They paid special attention to the plight of Christians in the Middle East, who face discrimination and persecution by radical extremists. The officials also reviewed the task of developing stable and constructive interfaith dialogue, in particular, as part of efforts to counter the global terrorist threat.