GORDON PAYS VISIT TO HALKI SEMINARY


VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU

ISTANBUL-HURRIYET DAILY NEWS

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon yesterday visited Istanbul’s Halki Seminary, of which re-opening has long been debated after a 4-day long official visit he made to Greece. “Reopening of the Halki seminary will positively effect Turkey in terms of freedom of religion and democracy,” Gordon said during his visit to the seminary.

Gordon paid a short visit to Fener Greek Patriarchate first, and then headed to Heybeliada Halki seminary. Gordon stated that the U.S. was closely following the developments about the Halki seminary issue. “Reopening of the Halki seminary will positively effect Turkey in terms of freedom of religion and democracy,” Gordon said. After the meeting, Gordon answered questions of the press. He commented on the seminary building, stating that he wandered in the building and liked it so much. He also underlined that he personally followed the developments about the issue. In the meeting, which was closed to the press, a great confidentiality was kept while choosing photographers and journalists. The seminary, which was the main center of Orthodox Greek theological was closed in 1971.