Turkish President Abdullah Gul also joined the criticism of government against Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, Today’s Zaman reads.

The daily recalls that Bartholomew in his interview with CBS said Turkey’s Greek Orthodox community feels they are treated like “second-class citizens” and names government’s attitude towards him crucifixion. Asked whether he would move to Greece, the Patriarch replied that he would stay in Turkey. “This is the continuation of Jerusalem and for us an equally holy and sacred land. We prefer to stay here, even crucified sometimes,” Zaman quotes Bartholomew.

In response to this, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated, “We consider the crucifixion metaphor an extremely unfortunate metaphor. In our history, there have never been crucifixions, and there never will be. I couldn’t really reconcile this metaphor with his mature personality.”

Zaman quotes Turkish President as saying, “The foreign minister spoke of the issue extremely well. There is nothing further to say on the issue.”

According to the source, last Sunday Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gregory Delavekouras declared “that respect for freedom of religion and for the rights of minorities take precedence” among Turkey’s obligations for joining EU.

A.G.