NAT da Polis

The result, more favourable than polls anticipated , shows the willingness of people to embark on a "normal" parliamentary democracy. Even some opposition supporters voted Yes. Erdogan, who sees a confirmation in the 2011elections, must now reveal his true intentions.

Sunday's vote for a package of constitutional reforms, which, if approved, could remove what remains of the state desired by Kemal Ataturk. The campaign has been transformed into a vote for or against the government. Polls give a narrow victory to the Yes camp. The possible consequences.

After years of plots, coups and attacks, new military leaders are appointed. Kemalism’s first pillar, the military, is weakened. Soon, Erdoğan will go after the second, the courts. Turkey is changing.

The monastery, called the "Monte Cassino of the East”, was destroyed by the Neo-Turks in 1922 and converted into a museum. Attended by 15,000 people from around the world, Christians and Muslims. The Ecumenical Patriarch stresses Christians and Muslims devotion to Our Lady. Experts point out that it was Ataturk who purged the Christian presence with pre-Nazi methods, forcing Islam on survivors. A positive sign in relations between the Fanar and the Turkish State.

PM Erdogan’s party is trying to break the stranglehold of the Kemalist establishment, but the country’s highest court and opposition parties are the putting the brakes. Scheduled for next September, the referendum will be a time of confrontation. Regarded as the “great reformer of the Muslim world”, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is growing stronger. Meanwhile, Europe can wait.

Turkey’s prime minister is having to manage a major crisis with Israel, something of great concern to the United States and Syria. At the same time, his government is unable to find a political solution to Turkey’s Kurdish question.

The mandatory ruling opens new perspectives for the legal recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which Turkish authorities have not done yet. It also gives hope to the Armenian, Jewish and Catholic minorities. The orphanage is expected to become an international centre for the protection of the environment as well as a centre for inter-faith dialogue.

Third summit of the organization opens in Istanbul, with the participation of 20 Asian states. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan seems to want to direct the work in an anti-Israeli manner. The premier also attacks on the home front. Turkish journalists speculate he could also decide to travel on a ship bound for Gaza.

Confirmation of the belief that only through ecumenical dialogue, strongly backed by the Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, can a response be given to the challenges of today.

In an interview, Christofias says that Cyprus expects the visit of Benedict XVI to boost for a peaceful solution of the drama created by the Turkish occupation of northern part of the island and the situation throughout Middle East.

The Orthodox archbishop of the island emphasizes the importance the encounter between sister Churches and calls to order the two metropolitans who have spoken out against the presence of Benedict XVI. Chrysostomos seeks support for a peaceful solution to the division created by the Turkish invasion. Father Lombardi: the message Benedict XVI, in particular, that of peace and prosperity for the people of Cyprus and the Middle East.

Meeting a commission for minority rights, the Ecumenical Patriarch stresses that it is time to move from words to action, restoring the rights of minorities and in particular their schools. The pogrom against Christians in Imvros and Tenedos, now reduced to only 300 people. Perhaps Turkey's European dream is fading while the desire for neo-ottomanism grows.