Turkey is not going to open the seminary of the Constantinople Patriarchate again, stated Turkish FM Abdullah Gul. «Licensing the seminary providing religious education runs counter to the principle of secular order of the Turkish Republic and its Constitution,» he said. The statement was made at a meeting of NATO FMs in Sofia. Gul reminded that Turkish authorities earlier proposed that Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew to pass it to Istanbul University, but the latter refused.

Gul also said there are no limitations of religious liberty of national minorities in Turkey. The EU, whom Turkey works to join as a full member, and the US constantly criticize Turkey for violating religious liberties and rights of national minorities, RIA Novosti reports referring to the Hurriett.

We note that the Orthodox seminary, situated in Halki Island in the Sea of Marmara, was closed in January 1971 based on the law banning religious schools in Turkey. It was many times suggested to convey the seminary to one of Istanbul universities, however this idea was not realized since then due to constant differences between the Constantinople Patriarchate and the Turkish Government.