Greece threatens Turkey with sanctions for decision on Hagia Sophia

Stelios Petsas has announced Greece's intention to seek sanctions against Turkey. Photo: int.ert.gr

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a "historic mistake" by deciding to turn Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, and Greece will seek sanctions against Turkey, said the official representative of the Greek government Stelios Petsas on the Skai TV channel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

"Erdogan made a historic mistake, a mistake that creates a gap, I hope it is not bridged," government spokesman Stelios Petsas told SKAI. "Greece condemns this action and will do everything in its power to have consequences for Turkey. "Everything is on the table and the possibility of sanctions not only from Europe but also from international organizations, such as UNESCO."

He further added that "there is no doubt that we will proceed with some form of sanctions".

"Anyone who violates international law must understand that there are penalties for this delinquent behavior," Stelios Petsas said. "The issue of Hagia Sophia is an international issue. The only sure thing is that such a delinquent behavior and such a great insult should have a similar response. "

Finally, he said that they expect developments in the coming days.

As reported, July 10, 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree changing the status of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral and said that already on July 24 Sophia will open as a mosque for Islamic divine services.

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