Patriarch Bartholomew Seeks Meeting with Turkish President Erdogan - treatment of Ecumenical Patriarchate and other religious minorities at issue

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is seeking a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan,the Catholic publication Agenzia Fides reported.The newsletter quoted sources in Turkey as saying that the Patriarch is sending a letter to Mr.Erdogan asking to discuss in person the issues of the Halki Theological School,closed since 1971 when Turkey outlawed private educational institutions,and the overall treatment of religious minorities in Turkey.*
Relations between the Turkish authorities and religious minorities are again experiencing a critical moment,Patriarch Bartholomew reportedly said at a news conference at the Phanar,the Patriarchate headquarters in Istanbul.The Patriarch's close associate,the Turkish citizen,member of the Greek community and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Mr.Lakis Vingas,said trials were started for the cancellation of property titles,and this situation worries us.*
For example,a case was recently brought in Ankara,the Turkish capital,by Turkish institutions such as the Forestry State Administration to roll back the return of two parcels of land in Goksu and Umit Tepasi to the Halki Theological School.The FSA wants the land returned to the Treasury.This is being perceived as a resurgence of harassment of the Patriarchate by the Turkish institutions.The actions are coming even while Turkey is trying to join the European Union,which will hardly be favourably impressed by them.*
Members of The Order of St.Andrew,Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,are personally chosen for their honourary titles as a gesture of appreciation by His All-Holiness for their exemplary service to the Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in particular.