Erkan's field diary

The papal visit seems to turn out positive...

Pope met world Orthodox leader and later visited one of Turkey's most famous mosques in what is being seen as an attempt to mend relations with the Muslim community. I should say his praying at the Blue Mosque instead of Hagia Sophia was much appreciated.

From Steve Bell

Have a look at Europe diary: Turkish tensions by BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell who finds Turks wary of the Pope's historic visit and grapples with the religious controversy sparked by the pontiff's speech in Bavaria....amd contributions by the readers.... and follow the online BBC discussion: What impact will the Pope’s Turkey visit have?

Sophie Shihab writes "le silence des Chrétiens" in Turkey. Busbecq writes on Le Pape en Turquie : un vrai Chemin de Croix. RFE/RL has a piece on by Jeffrey Donovan on Catholics, Orthodox Look To Bridge Historic Divide . PHILLIP BLOND AND ADRIAN PABST in Benedict's post-secular vision says "Pope Benedict is in Turkey to engage with Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy in the hope of persuading both to join his project of overcoming secularism...."

As the Commission wants partial suspension of talks with Turkey, EU struggles to avoid rift with Ankara, IstanbulTory sees the situation A fatal blow to Turkey's EU hopes and teases Blair as a would be helper. Cyprus continues to threaten to block EU deal on Turkey talks...

In the mean time EU unveils new immigration plans

In Turkish blogosphere, Murat is embarrased by the protests in the era of the visit while Pinar sees the visit an opportunity to discover Istanbul...

Ertugrul Ozkok has some words to say on the Pope's visit to Turkey, too...

Posted by erkan at December 1, 2006 11:54 AM | TrackBack
Posted to Cyprus | EU Summits/Reports | Enlargement | Pope/Pope's Speech