On 24 January, the Chaplain-President in his capacity as Bishop Robert's adviser for EU affairs attended the New Year reception held by Croceu (the Council of representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the EU) in the new Orthodox Centre in Brussels. The representatives of the principal Christian Churches to the EU were present, along with several high-ranking EU officials. This reception was in effect a continuation of the Article 17 dialogue earlier in the day, as the religions and laïcité in Europe debate and consider the best ways for them to foster liberal democracy in the EU as well as in the wider world.