Patriarch: "As I am Turkish, the western thrace and Heybeliada issues are seperate"

YAYINLAMA
GÜNCELLEME

The closed Heybeliada seminary is Turkish, and is separate from the issue of better rights for Turks in Greece's Western Thrace region, Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Bartholomeos reportedly said, according to Wikileaks documents. Arguing against Ankara's attempt to link opening Heybeliada with improved rights in Western Thrace, the patriarch reportedly said these issues are separate, adding, "I am Turkish, and the patriarchate is not a representative of the Greek government."