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ATHENS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Interreligious and intercultural dialogue is the key to resolving crises and restoring peace in the Middle East, political and religious leaders and representatives told an international conference held in Athens on Monday.
With the theme of "Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East," the Greek government held a two-day event to promote cross-border conversation and seek solutions in a critical period, when millions of refugees are fleeing the Middle East and landing in Europe.
Participants of the conference include foreign ministers from Cyprus, Egypt and the Netherlands, heads of Christian churches, and other religious leaders.
"The Middle East can and must become again a region of peaceful and constructive coexistence of nations and a cradle of civilizations," Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos told the opening ceremony.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said: "Our message is the peaceful coexistence of different denominations, perceptions and beliefs. Attempts to enforce a view on others and to impose a doctrine did not only destroy parts of our world which were first affected, but caused suffering in wider regions."
Keynote speakers called for a political solution to the Syrian crisis and further support for fleeing refugees through international collaboration.
They denounced the distortion of religions by radical extremists like the Islamic State and the destruction of religious minorities and mankind's cultural heritage that have fuelled Islamophobia.
They urged for coordination of efforts to safeguard fundamental human rights from Afghanistan and Iraq to Libya and for the resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict and the Cyprus issue.
A Greek initiative for the establishment of an international center to observe violations of human rights in the Middle East and promote dialogue to avert new conflicts was warmly received by several delegates.
