Greece condemns Turkey's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into mosque

FILE PHOTO: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis takes part in a joint news conference with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Vienna, Austria March 10, 2020. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece condemned a decision by Turkey on Friday to convert Istanbul's Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque, saying it would have repercussions not only on relations between the two countries, but on Turkey's ties with the European Union.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the first prayers would be held in Hagia Sophia on July 24, after declaring the ancient monument was once again a mosque following a court ruling revoking its status as a museum.