With a solemn ceremony by Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the renovated Bulgarian church "St. Stephen" in Istanbul, also known as the Iron Church, has been solemnly reopened.

Before that the patriarchs blessed the church that had undergone complete renovation, which took 7 years. Bulgarian delegation, headed by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, was present at the official ceremony. In front of the Christian temple, Borissov met the Turkish delegation, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Earlier on Sunday, asked by reporters if the road of Turkey to Europe passed through Bulgaria, Prime Minister Borissov said that peace and improvement of relations between Turkey and Europe provided solutions to many issues and Bulgaria, which has taken the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, could help for that.

In his speech during the opening of the renovated St. Stephen's Church, Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte said that its renewing was reached "thanks to the good neighborly relations and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries and between Orthodox churches."

In Istanbul, Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew are also to discuss the question of the autocephalousness of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.