Nicosia 7.3.16

Special Representative of the USA State Department To attend a meeting of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process

 

Mr Shaun Casey, Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs of the State Department of the United States of America will be meeting with the religious leaders of Cyprus participating in the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden (RTCYPP) on Tuesday morning, 8 March 2016 at the residence the Swedish Ambassador to Cyprus H.E. Mr. Klas Gierow.

 

A press conference scheduled for 12:15 outside the Swedish residence will follow the meeting. All interested media are invited to attend.

 

“We are very happy for the interest shown by the U.S. State Department on the role of religion in the public sphere,” says Peter Weiderud, moderator of the Religious Track and Director of Swedish Institute Alexandria. “This is a recognition of our efforts with the religious leaders of Cyprus for peace and reconciliation in the island and an affirmation of all stakeholders.”

 

Following the meeting and press conference there will be a lunch together with H.E Ms. Kathleen Doherty, Ambassador of the United States of America to Cyprus.

 

As earlier announced by the U.S. Embassy to Cyprus, Special Representative Casey is in Cyprus from 5-10 March to meet with religious leaders, including Archbishop Chrysostomos, Mufti Atalay, Maronite Archbishop Yousef Soueif, the Latin Vicar of Cyprus Father Jerzy Kraj, and Father Momig Habeshian of the Armenian Orthodox Church, representing Archbishop Nareg. He is also visiting holy sites and meeting with members of the religious communities and civil society.

 

In Washington, Special Representative Casey heads the U.S. Department of State’s efforts to implement the U.S. National Strategy on Religious Leader and Faith Community Engagement. The office advises Secretary of State John Kerry on policy matters as they relate to religion; supports U.S. embassies in their efforts to assess religious dynamics and engage religious communities; and serves as a first point of entry for individuals, both religious and secular, who would like to engage the State Department in Washington on matters of religion and global affairs.

 

Note to Editors:

 

All journalists are kindly requested to confirm their attendance before 9am on

 

Tuesday 8th March by sending an email with the name of the journalist and agency to: Linnéa Frändå, at linnea@religioustrack.com

 

Cameras are required to be set up by 11.30am. Address to the residence of the Swedish Ambassador: 8 Lidas Street, Nicosia (see map attached).

 

List of Participants

 

Church of Cyprus

 

H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II

 

H.E. Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis (Interpreting for Archbishop)

 

 

 

Muftiate of Cyprus

 

H.E Mufti Talip Atalay

 

Rev. Imam Shakir Alemndar of Hala Sultan Tekke (Interpreting for Mufti)

 

Maronite Church of Cyprus

 

Monseigneur Orphanou, representing His Excellency Archbishop Youssef Soueif

 

Accompanied by Rev Fr Joseph Tartak

 

 

 

Apostolic Delegation/Latin Church of Cyprus

 

Rev Fr Jerzy Kraj

 

 

 

Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of Cyprus

 

Rev Fr Momig Habeshian, representing H.E. Archbishop Nareg

 

 

 

United States Government

 

Special Representative Shaun Casey

 

Ambassador Kathleen Doherty (joining only for press conference and lunch)

 

Jennifer Wistrand, S/R GA

 

Paul Wulfsberg, Political Officer/notetaker

 

 

 

Embassy of Sweden

 

Klas Gierow, Ambassador

 

Sara Brandt- Hansen, Deputy Chief of Mission

 

Office of the RTCYPP

 

Peter Weiderud, Moderator of RTCYPP, Director of Swedish Institute, Alexandria

 

Salpy Eskidjian, Executive Coordinator & Co-facilitator of RTCYPP

 

Linnéa Frändå, notetaker