Turkey 'rejects' EU's condemnation of Hagia Sophia's conversion

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu rejected European Union's condemnation of Turkey's decision to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.

"Turkey rejects the words of condemnation used by the EU for turning Hagia Sophia back into a mosque," he said during a meeting with his counterpart from Malta in the capital Ankara.

"As I stated earlier, if Borell [Josep, EU foreign policy head] said 'It would be better if it didn't open,' I respect that. If he said "it would be better if it remained a museum,' I would also respect that,' but we reject the word 'condemnation'," said Çavuşoğlu.

Pointing to the 800-year Moorish heritage in EU member Spain, he added: "In Spain, there are some mosques which were turned into churches. So now shall we say to Spain, 'convert those back into mosques, we condemn you'?"

"This is also an issue concerning Turkey's sovereign rights," he explained.

On July 10, the Council of State annulled a 1934 Council of Ministers decree that had turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for its use again as a mosque after an 85-year hiatus.

EU foreign ministers condemned the move after a meeting yesterday (July 13).

Eastern Mediterranean issue

Çavuşoğlu said Turkey is ready to have a dialogue with all actors in the Eastern Mediterranean region and that disputes in the energy-rich region can be resolved through cooperation. However, he said, Ankara rejects unilateral impositions and sanctions.

Stressing that Turkey will not bow down to anyone in the region, he added that it is flexible and ready for collaboration but resolved to take action if need be.

Çavuşoğlu said both Turkey and Malta want peace and stability in Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean region, adding that both countries play a role in the context of regional issues.

Tripoli, Libya's capital on the Mediterranean, lies just 357 kilometers (222 miles) from Malta.

"Stability in Libya is hugely important for Malta, even Italy, and countries in the northern Mediterranean and southern Europe," said Çavuşoğlu, adding that negative developments there also impact Malta.

"Therefore, we understand Malta's concerns very well, primarily about illegal migration and terrorism," he said.

Çavuşoğlu stressed that Turkey is ready to engage in dialogue with everyone over the Eastern Mediterranean.

"I explained that we want to be part of work that will guarantee the rights of everyone, especially the Turkish Cypriots, and provide fair sharing," he explained.

"In the past, Turkey was excluded in this regard and forced to take unilateral steps. If everybody is ready for dialogue with Turkey, and the Greek Cypriot administration accepts fair sharing with the Turkish public, we can solve these matters very easily," he said. (PT/VK)