According to the Turkish newspaper “Sabah”, the government of Erdogan decided to vote a new presidential decree, in order to return all the real estates of minorities’ institutions which were declared in 1936. This means that many Greeks will take back their properties and can demand compensation. This is also a great victory for the Ecumenical Patriarch.
In 1936, the Turkish government had asked of the parishes and minorities’ institutions to possess declared real estates. However, decades later they took back the real estates which had not been declared or were acquired as inheritance, a donation, or after purchase.
The Turkish Prime Minister will make the announcement on Sunday night during a dinner where the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew along with 162 representatives of minorities’ institutions will attend.
, 28 August 2011