On 30 September, 2017, His Holiness Aram I met with Dr Gerges Saleh, the ecumenical representative of the Coptic Orthodox Church and former General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Dr Saleh, representing His Holiness Tawadros II, and the Catholicos discussed the MECC and ecumenical and inter-religious issues related to the churches in the region. His Holiness Aram I stressed the need to strengthen the ecumenical movement’s ability to face the challenges arising from the political turmoil. At the end, His Holiness Aram I and Dr Saleh affirmed the need to deepen relations between the two sister churches.