Government spokesman Stelios Petsas described Turkey’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque as incomprehensible, stressing that Ankara’s moves show a change of orientation towards the West and move away from Europe.
Speaking to SKAI TV, Petsas said that the European Union Foreign Affairs Council has asked Turkey to revise its decision, but added that he was not optimistic that such a thing would happen.
He spoke again about the mistake of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing the assessment that, although Athens has shown that it wants good neighborly relations and open channels, Ankara’s decision complicates bilateral relations and dialogue between the two sides.
The government spokesman noted that Greece is preparing for all scenarios in the event that Turkey “crosses the red line,” while reiterating that the issue of Hagia Sophia is not bilateral, but global.
He also noted that Mr. Erdogan had not warned Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque in their last communication. The government spokesman noted that EU sanctions would be activated against Turkey if Ankara continues its provocations.