CROCEU members meet in Brussels to discuss forthcoming initiatives

The members of the Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) met on Thursday, 17 September, at the Ambiorix Orthodox Centre in Brussels, in this year's first autumn session.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Church of Greece and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions was represented by Rev. Fr. Sorin ȘELARU, Director of the Representation, and Rev. Fr. George VALCU, who also serves as General Secretary of CROCEU.

During the meeting, the members reviewed CROCEU’s current activities and discussed a number of forthcoming initiatives. Particular attention was given to future encounters and projects, cooperation with other Christian Churches and organisations, and the continuing dialogue of the Orthodox Churches with the European Institutions.

The discussions also provided an opportunity to exchange views on current developments at European level and on matters of common concern to the Orthodox Churches, with a view to strengthening coordination and ensuring a coherent Orthodox contribution to the European dialogue.

Established in 2010, CROCEU provides a framework for regular consultation and cooperation among the officially mandated representatives of the local Orthodox Churches to the European Institutions. Through this cooperation, it seeks to articulate their concerns and perspectives on issues relevant to the European integration process and to contribute constructively to dialogue at EU level.

The meeting took place in a spirit of close cooperation and mutual trust, reaffirming the importance of regular coordination among the Orthodox representations in Brussels.

The next meeting of CROCEU is scheduled to take place in Brussels on 10 November 2026.