PM Erdogan answered the claims on why he could not be in Turkey during Pope's visit to the country, at an interview with Turkish TGRT channel aired late on Friday, reports Trend.
Erdogan will not meet Pope during the papal visit to Turkey, the first of such a visit to Muslim country, since he was previously scheduled to attend NATO summit to be held in Latvian capital Riga on the same day as the pontiff arrives in Ankara.
NATO meeting was scheduled months ago, Erdogan stressed, recalling that Turkish Foreign Ministry asked Vatican to change Pope's visit couple of days before or after the NATO meeting. "However, they have not accepted the request, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan remarked that if his departure coincides with the arrival of the pontiff, then he could meet Pope at the Esenboga Airport in Turkish capital Ankara.
Turkish premier also underlined that pope will visit his country at the invitation of the Turkish president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, adding that Benedict will meet his counterparts in Turkey, namely the president and the head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, since pope holds two identities, one political and the other religious.
