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Statement from the Green Left Party in Greece regarding the Turkish community in Western Thrace

03.02.2021

ABTTF President: “Pursuant to bilateral and international treaties, the Turkish community in Western Thrace is an issue which directly concerns our country and our motherland, and for this reason, our problems must be put on the table during the exploratory talks.”

The Thrace Regional Presidency of the Green Left Party which was founded in 2019 in Greece responded to the statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey supporting the struggle of the Turkish community in Western Thrace for the recognition of its “Turkish” identity.

In the written statement made by the Thrace Regional Presidency of the Green Left Party, it is indicated that the statements emanating from the Turkish government with respect to the existence of a Turkish minority in (Western) Thrace are condemned, and that there are concerns regarding the fact that the issue would be expressed during the exploratory talks. Ans it is called on the Greek government not to accept any negotiation regarding the issue.

“Whilst it criticizes the current political system and the insufficiencies of the ruling organs and aims at freedom, democracy and equality in society, the Green Left Party has suddenly forgotten the principles enshrined in its statutes and defends the Greek state’s official policy of denial of the Turkish identity when it comes to the Turkish community in Western Thrace. On the other hand, pursuant to bilateral and international treaties, the Turkish community in Western Thrace is an issue which directly concerns our country and our motherland and for this reason, our problems must be put on the table during the exploratory talks. We call on the Green Left Party, which claims to be a new political structure working to eliminate inequalities, to approach with honesty the rights violations and discrimination suffered by the Turkish community in Western Thrace by refraining from using our motherland in daily political debates”, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF). 
 

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