Greece responds to Turkey’s new provocative remarks on minority Rights in Thrace

In response to a provocative statement by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which once again referred to a “Turkish minority” in Thrace, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong rebuttal.

The Greek ministry clarified that the minority in Western Thrace is religious, not ethnic, stressing that its members are Greek citizens. The official statement reads:

“The Treaty of Lausanne is explicit, referring clearly to a religious minority in Thrace, not an ethnic one. The Hellenic State fully respects the religious beliefs and cultural characteristics of the Muslim Minority in Thrace. Greek citizens who are members of this minority enjoy complete equality before the law and equal civic rights.”

The Turkish statement, which sparked Greece’s reaction, was made on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the establishment of the so called “Turkish Union of Xanthi”. In its message, Turkey referred to the Muslim minority in Greece as “Turkish” and claimed to support the Union’s “just efforts and honorable struggle to use its name,” citing the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Specifically, the Turkish Foreign Ministry posted:

“Happy 98th anniversary to the Turkish Union of Xanthi, the oldest civil society organization of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace! We support the Union’s legitimate efforts and honorable struggle to use its name, as endorsed by ECHR rulings.”

Greece views this repeated terminology as a deliberate provocation and a misinterpretation of international treaties, notably the Treaty of Lausanne, which remains the cornerstone of minority rights in the region.