The Vatan Party held a press conference on June 20 in front of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Fener in Istanbul. The statement was delivered by Istanbul Provincial Chairman İbrahim Okan Özkan. In his statement, Özkan said that the government had failed to respond effectively to Ukraine’s attacks in the Black Sea. He also noted that the Patriarchate was acting as a center for Ukraine’s propaganda and organizational activities.
Özkan’s statement reads as follows:
Dear People of Istanbul,
Dear Members of the Press,
Türkiye is surrounded by a ring of fire.
In the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, the barrels of guns stationed at dozens of American military bases are pointed at Türkiye. Weapons are being stockpiled in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, and new munitions are being added day by day.
At a time when these guns are directed at our country, Türkiye’s security is also being targeted in the Black Sea through Ukraine. Recently, Ukraine struck two Turkish vessels in the Sea of Azov and a fishing boat in the Black Sea. One Turkish citizen lost his life.
There has been no response from the Turkish Government. Those who caused an uproar when fragments of missiles fired by Iran toward Israel and intercepted by NATO systems fell on Turkish territory have not uttered a single word about the sinking of a Turkish vessel and the killing of a Turkish citizen.
The United States, Israel, France, Greece, Ukraine and the Greek Cypriot Administration have set their sights on Türkiye.
How will the Government respond to this alliance that has formed against Türkiye? There is a clear imbalance here.
In order to eliminate this imbalance, countries facing threats from the United States and Israel—primarily Russia, Iran and China—are Türkiye’s natural allies. Under these circumstances, operations are being carried out to drive a wedge between Türkiye and its natural allies and to undermine its relations with them. Imperialism seeks an isolated Türkiye.
One of the most significant aspects of these operations is the activity conducted through the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Phanar, aimed at setting Türkiye and Russia against one another.
While all these threats are surrounding Türkiye, attempts are being made through the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Phanar to drag Türkiye into hostility toward Russia and support for Ukraine.
The sole purpose of the activities carried out by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Phanar together with the Embassy of Ukraine in Ankara is to leave Türkiye defenseless against the threats it faces.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Phanar functions in Türkiye as a center of Ukrainian propaganda and organization.
Foremost among these figures is Metropolitan Adamakis of Kadıköy. Spending most of his time in Kyiv, Adamakis previously spoke at the Abant Meeting organized by FETÖ in Brussels. He remains a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches and Co-Chair of the Council’s Interreligious Dialogue Commission. Adamakis has played a leading role in the activities of the Ukrainian Church and has occupied a special position in the process of separating that Church from Russia.
Likewise, the Ukrainian Cultural Associations and the Turkish-Ukrainian Businessmen’s Association were among the organizations that came to the forefront during the process of separating the Ukrainian Church from Russia.
These divisive activities of the Patriarchate are financed by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the Bartholomew Foundation and the Archons. Millions of dollars are transferred every year.
Dear friends, why are these matters important? Because all of these activities are aimed at leaving Türkiye defenseless. We have already explained the alliance positioned against us. Ukraine is part of that alliance and operates under the command of the United States. How much longer will Türkiye remain silent in the face of the Patriarchate and these organizations that target our country? These networks constitute a national security issue.
The activities of the Patriarchate serve a political purpose that goes far beyond the religious sphere. While it has turned a blind eye to the attacks carried out against Russian churches in Ukraine over the past three years, it immediately mobilized in response to a church damaged in Kyiv.
The planned reopening of the Halki Seminary is likewise political in nature. A trap is being set for Türkiye. From Türkiye’s perspective, the issue of the Halki Seminary is not merely a matter of minority rights or religious education; rather, it is a question of strategic positioning concerning autonomous status, sovereignty and secularism.
The title of “Ecumenical,” which Patriarch Bartholomew persistently claims and uses, also serves this political objective. Moreover, this title is contrary to Turkish law. The status of the Patriarchate was determined by the Treaty of Lausanne. The Patriarch holds the status of an official subject to the authority of the District Governor of Fatih. Therefore, Bartholomew consistently demonstrates to friend and foe alike that he does not recognize the Treaty of Lausanne. The party that insists on ignoring this reality is the AK Party government. Our government must take action on this matter without delay.
As the Vatan Party, we have repeatedly brought this issue to the attention of the Turkish public. We have created public awareness. Reactions have emerged from various political parties, associations, intellectuals and writers. However, the AK Party government can no longer remain silent on this issue.
Action must be taken against this structure, which targets Türkiye and sows discord between us and our friends—especially Russia—while our country is surrounded by a ring of fire. The activities of the institutions, organizations and individuals with whom it cooperates within a Ukraine-centered framework should be thoroughly investigated.
The Patriarchate must not be allowed to target Turkish-Russian friendship through various institutions operating in Türkiye.
İbrahim Okan Özkan, President of the Istanbul Provincial Organization Vatan Party