M. Harakopoulos for the return of stolen relics: Respect for the cultural heritage of every nation should be reduced to a rule of international relationstranslated

"The return to Greece of the 48 relics, which were stolen during the Bulgarian occupation of Macedonia in the First World War, constitutes a historical vindication for those who for decades raised the issue, such as the blessed Metropolitan of Drama, Mr. Pavlos. These relics form an integral part of our national heritage, and it is our duty to restore them to the sacred places from which they were forcibly wrested. In any case, respect for the cultural heritage of each nation and the end of any arbitrary occupation and usurpation of it must be reduced to an inviolable rule of interstate relations. It is our hope that today's agreement will pave the way for the return of other valuable relics as well as hundreds of manuscripts that, as a product of theft, are in Bulgaria or in other countries."

The above was emphasized by the Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy (DSO), Member of the Parliament of the Hellenes, Dr. Maximos Harakopoulos, on the occasion of the signing of the protocols between Greece and Bulgaria, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries, etc. Kyriakou Mitsotakis and Roumen Radev, for the mutual "deposit" of heirlooms...