Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the party held in the historic Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Voukolos in Izmir (8.7.2023)

We unequivocally condemn the act of holding an electronic music party inside the historic Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Voukolos in Izmir, which is presently used as a venue for hosting cultural events by the Turkish Authorities.

Organising parties constitutes an insult and desecration of a historical monument that used to be a place of worship in the past.

We call on the Turkish government to take all the necessary action so that the appropriate respect for the cultural, historical, and religious heritage of all religions is ensured on its territory.

July 8, 2023