ISTANBUL

The College de France said it cancelled a symposium scheduled for Nov. 13-14 on Palestine, reiterating its "strict neutrality with regard to issues of a political or ideological nature."

The higher education institution, in a written statement on Sunday, said the conference, Palestine and Europe: the weight of the past and contemporary dynamics, was cancelled "in response to the controversy" surrounding it.

"College de France wishes to reiterate its strict neutrality with regard to issues of a political or ideological nature. As a place of knowledge and its dissemination, it does not advocate, encourage or support any form of militancy," the statement said.

It stressed that it had been initially suggested to the Scientific Committee that the event should be held behind closed doors, but to no avail.

"Consequently, and in view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the College de France is obliged to cancel the event scheduled for November 13 and 14, in his capacity as head of the establishment responsible for the safety of people and property, and for the serenity of events held on the Collège de France premises," the statement added.