Ankara's statements that Hagia Sophia in Istanbul will be preserved as a UNESCO monument and everyone will be able to get there, were received with satisfaction in Moscow, said Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President.
The presidential press secretary noted that the public response in the Russian Federation among the Orthodox was very high, and linked this with the deep sacred significance of Hagia Sophia for the Orthodox, for all Christians. This explains the emotional reaction, including the reaction of the Patriarch.
"At the same time, in the official plan, we repeated: this is an internal matter of the Turkish Republic, and we cannot and do not intend to interfere in it. It is important for us that Hagia Sophia as a UNESCO world heritage site be preserved as it is now, and that access to it be open to those who come to Turkey, whether they are tourists or someone else with other goals. We have heard statements from our Turkish colleagues and the President of Turkey, first of all, that Hagia Sophia will be preserved and that access to it will remain open, this is gratifying," Peskov said, answering the question whether Erdogan's response to Putin during a telephone conversation between the presidents, where in particular the situation around the object was touched upon.
The Supreme administrative court of Turkey on July 10 annulled the decision of 1934 to turn Hagia Sophia into a museum. Immediately after that, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that he had signed a decree to turn the cathedral into the mosque and start Muslim services there. They will start on July 24.
During a telephone conversation on July 13, Erdogan gave Russian President Vladimir Putin explanations on the decision on the status of Hagia Sophia, noting that access to this cultural monument and the preservation of Christian shrines will be guaranteed for everyone.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti