ATHENS – It's too late to do anything about it but Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis again softly dressed down Turkey for converting the Aghia Sophia cathedral in Constantinople into a mosque.

At a meeting of the European People's Party (EPP) to which his New Democracy belongs Mitsotakis said the decision to alter the status of Aghia Sophia  was indicative of Turkey’s understanding of international agreements, mutual respect and interfaith dialogue, said Kathimerini, without explaining what that meant.

Earlier, he said the European Union should issue for tough sanctions on Turkey for its plans to drill for oil and gas off Crete as it is doing off Cyprus without the bloc doing anything beyond issuing soft sanctions.

None of those touch Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who told other countries not to stick their nose in Turkey's business as he said his decision to make Aghia Sophia a mosque was irrevocable.

It wasn't said if Mitsotakis wanted sanctions over Aghia Sophia although Erdogan has ignored any criticism or responses to his actions and has stepped up provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the region.