Negotiations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Turkey’s Ministry of Education are advancing towards the potential reopening of Halki Theological Seminary by 2026. Seen as a gesture of goodwill, this move could shift Turkey’s international standing amidst growing criticism over human rights. However, its implications extend beyond Greek-Turkish relations, raising questions about the role of religion in Turkish diplomacy.
Tag: Turkish diplomacy
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan will discuss key issues including Euro-Turkish and Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the Cyprus problem, in an upcoming meeting in Brussels. The talks, taking place on the sidelines of an informal EU foreign ministers’ meeting, come ahead of a planned meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the UN General Assembly in September.
US Ambassador to Turkey Jeff Flake has called on Turkey and other allies with ties to Iran to help de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials. Flake emphasized that Turkey’s influence is crucial in persuading Iran to avoid further retaliation against Israel.