Current location:world >>
EU condemns Turkish decision to convert Hagia Sophia back to mosque
world3834People have gathered around
IntroductionEU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks during a press ...
EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on July 13, 2020. Foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday condemned the Turkish decision to convert Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia back to a mosque, saying that "will inevitably fuel mistrust, promote renewed divisions between religious communities and undermine efforts at dialogue and cooperation." (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)
BRUSSELS, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday condemned the Turkish decision to convert Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia back to a mosque, saying that "will inevitably fuel mistrust, promote renewed divisions between religious communities and undermine efforts at dialogue and cooperation."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday denounced rising criticism over Ankara's intention to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque, claiming that "The accusations against our country on the Hagia Sophia mean a direct attack on our sovereignty rights."
"We will continue to protect the rights of Muslims, the dominant faith in our country, and those of other religions," Erdogan said Friday in Istanbul.
Monday's meeting was the first physical get-together of EU foreign ministers since the coronavirus pandemic. Turkey topped the agenda of the 27-member bloc, which reached "a consensus among member states that EU-Turkey relations were currently under strain because of worrying developments affecting the EU's interests."
The EU foreign ministers also called for what they say is "illegal" and "unilateral" drilling by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean to stop and asked Turkey to contribute actively to a political solution in Libya and to respect the commitments it had taken, including the UN arms embargo.
Hagia Sophia is an iconic Byzantine church built in the 5th century. Throughout the centuries, the former Greek Orthodox Christian church had also served as a Roman Catholic cathedral and an Ottoman mosque as the city changed rulers. Since 1935, the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia has been open as a museum. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a monument of world cultural heritage since 1985.
On Friday, the Turkish State Council reached a verdict on the fate of the monument and Erdogan announced that the first Muslim prayer at the site will be held on July 24.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan discussed in a phone conversation developments in Syria and Libya, as well as the fate of Hagia Sophia, the Kremlin said.
The United States said on Friday that it was "disappointed" by the Turkish government's decision of changing the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Intrigue news portal”。http://www.ipdilemma.com/article-95e599876.html
Related articles
Two more people sentenced for carjacking and kidnapping an FBI employee in South Dakota
worldRAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The last two members of a trio who carjacked and kidnapped an FBI employee i ...
【world】
Read moreVOX POPULI: The war in Ukraine enters its 3rd year with no end in sight
worldOn Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the b ...
【world】
Read morePressure grows on Angela Rayner to quit as Labour deputy leader over housing row police probe
worldAngela Rayner is facing fresh Tory calls to quit as Labour's deputy leader today as police reopened ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Duo charged with murder in killings of couple whose remains were found scattered on Long Island
- Artificial intelligence found to be 'superior to biological intelligence'
- Boeing tells pilots to check seats after LATAM plane incident
- It's about to get more difficult for Americans to visit Brazil
- Belarus labels German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle ‘extremist,’ bans activities in the country
- VOX POPULI: Rooting for the Sendai killifish that survived the 2011 tsunami
Latest articles
Supreme Court rejects Musk appeal over Tesla tweets
Pressure grows on Angela Rayner to quit as Labour deputy leader over housing row police probe
VOX POPULI: Sudden death of Navalny shows dangers of the truth in Russia
LAUSD investigating inappropriate photos being shared amongst students at Fairfax High School
Overseas Chinese history museum opens new branch in S. China
VOX POPULI: Radiation lingers even 70 years after H
LINKS
- Haaland returns and scores as Man City beats Nottingham Forest 2
- Russia renews attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector
- Teen accidentally kills his younger brother with a gun found in an alley
- Seeking engagement and purpose, corporate employees turn to workplace volunteering
- German police arrest a Russian man in connection with the fatal stabbings of 2 Ukrainian men
- Stars breathe new life into series with the Golden Knights entering Game 4
- Britain's Got Talent air guitarist Sven Smith stuns judges as he narrowly avoids X
- Wild onion dinners mark the turn of the season in Indian Country
- New charges announced against 4 youths arrested in gunfire at event to mark end of Ramadan
- Kawhi Leonard ruled out with knee issue as Clippers face Mavs in Game 4