The Greek prime minister said that Ankara’s behavior on the issue of Hagia Sophia was “outside any framework and international law,” noting that it “turns against Europe.”
“Turkey’s provocations, of which there are many, are not only oriented towards the two countries, Greece and Cyprus, but towards Europe. And these provocations come from a state that is formally a candidate to join the European Union. The issue needs a European response,” he said.
After emphasizing that “monuments are not humiliated but humiliate those who do not respect them,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis demonstrated his determination claiming that “contesting of our sovereign rights means that we are ready for stronger reactions.”
“Turkey aspires to be the local troublemaker and jeopardizes stability throughout the region,” he said. He also spoke of “Erdogan’s unprecedented decision on Hagia Sophia, which hurts us as Orthodox Christians but also as citizens of the world.”
During the joint statement of the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, after their meeting, the prime minister described Turkey’s move to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque as “petty and unnecessary,” while adding that it is “a global and universal issue, not a Greek-Turkish or even EU-Turkish affair.”
“Turkey, with this move, cuts its ties with the civilized world, as it preferred introversion,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, “He attempts to counterfeitly present a move that indicates weakness under the cloak of prepotency. That’s all it shows.”
“Hagia Sophia has followed an ecumenical trajectory. It has served as an Orthodox church, then a Catholic cathedral, and a mosque, and eventually became a world monument, and this does not change. Those who desecrate it call it by its Byzantine name: Hagia Sophia,” the prime minister stressed. He concluded, “Hagia Sophia rises above all of us. We will see if it will remain a UNESCO monument.”
Moreover, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, spoke about the violation of international law by Turkey on the issue of Hagia Sophia saying, “We seek dialogue for peace and stability in the region. We do not provoke, but we are provoked. They do not provoke just Greece and Cyprus but Europe.”
“Hagia Sophia belongs to the Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants around the world who respect the cultural heritage.” “It is an asset, a cultural heritage, where no religious identity stands out, and was a symbol of a masterpiece of the 6th century. “We will take action together with civilized people, politicians and citizens all over the world to send the message that it is inconceivable in modern times to despise cultural heritage with such immodesty,” concluded the president of the Republic of Cyprus.