“In the wake of Erdogan’s reckless decision, Turkey is facing off against the whole world. If he wants to walk on neo-Ottoman paths, he should know he will find himself far from Europe and in international isolation.” During his interview today on SKAI TV’s “Kalimera,” with Giorgos Aftias, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis said this, among other things, regarding the decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
Mr. Varvitsiotis highlighted that Turkey does not respect multiculturalism and is not a country firmly oriented towards Europe; rather, it appears to have embarked on other paths. He added that this move on the part of Erdogan does not respect Istanbul’s past and shows that Erdogan wants to return to what he called “a neo-Ottoman dream.”
He also stressed that Greece is reacting with determination and calm, and that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque wounds us as Orthodox Christians. Finally, he underscored that it is an issue between Turkey and the rest of the world.
July 12, 2020