The final decision on the reopening of the Halki Theological School rests with Turkey’s political leadership, Turkish Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin has said.
Speaking on CNN Türk’s “Hakan Çelik ile Hafta Sonu” program, Tekin revealed that his ministry has already completed preparations concerning how the historic Orthodox theological school could reopen if a political decision is made to proceed. The Turkish Ministry of National Education also reported his remarks on the Seminary following the interview.
Tekin stressed, however, that the issue goes beyond the responsibilities of the Education Ministry, describing the possible reopening of Halki Seminary as an important matter in terms of both Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy.
“The decision on whether or not it will reopen is a very important decision for this country in terms of foreign and domestic policy. The political authorities and the state will make that decision,” Tekin said.
The Turkish minister said that his ministry is ready to implement the necessary arrangements should President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the officials responsible for Turkey’s foreign policy determine that reopening the Seminary would serve the country’s interests.
“If our President and the state officials directing our foreign policy say that its reopening will produce results beneficial to the country, we have made our preparations regarding how it would reopen,” Tekin said.
Source: sigmalive.com, translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
