Escalating ties with Turkey was the No. 1 issue at the July monthly meeting of European Union foreign ministers. Meeting in Brussels face-to-face for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, the ministers tried to balance harsh criticism against Ankara with keeping the door for dialogue open.

"Turkey is an important country for the EU with whom we would wish to see our relations strengthened and developing. This should be done in respect of EU values, principles and interests. At the same time, there are worrying developments, in particular in the eastern Mediterranean and regarding Libya, that affect the EU’s interests," said the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell on July 13.

As far as the EU is concerned, the Turkish file includes several issues, including Turkey’s increasing involvement in Libya, its involvement in Syria, its attitude on migration, its threats on freedom of press and speech, and now also the Hagia Sophia.

Already on July 10, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian criticized strongly the decision taken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to change the status of the Hagia Sophia from museum to mosque. Drian said, "These decisions undermine one of the most symbolic acts of modern, secular Turkey. The integrity of this religious, architectural and historical jewel — a symbol of religious freedom, tolerance and diversity included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List — must be protected. Hagia Sophia must continue to represent the plurality and diversity of religious heritage, dialogue and tolerance."