ABTTF President: “The presence of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace is an undeniable fact. As we have always said, we who have lived on this land for centuries are an inseparable part of our country through our Turkish identity, and we are a source of wealth for our country. However, contrary to Dendias’ claims, our country is excluding us, the Western Thrace Turks, as a result of a policy that denies our Turkish identity, and perceives us as a “national threat.”
Minister of National Defence of Greece Nikos Dendias attended a ceremony held on 13 May 2026, in the village of Oraíon (Yassıören), part of the Municipality of Myki (Mustafçova) in Xanthi, in memory of approximately 65 soldiers from the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace who were killed in action on the battlefields during World War II.
In his speech at the memorial ceremony, Dendias emphasised that the sacrifices of these soldiers, who fell while defending Greece, are an integral part of the national memory, noting that (Western) Thrace, where different cultures converge, serves as a model of harmonious co-existence.
Stating that the Greek Muslim minority is a valuable and indispensable element of the country’s identity, Dendias noted that Greece’s national unity is built not on exclusion but on inclusivity, equality, recognition, and trust.
“Minister of National Defence of Greece Dendias has once again denied the Turkish identity of our minority by referring to the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace as a “Muslim minority.” The presence of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace is an undeniable fact. As we have always said, we who have lived on this land for centuries are an inseparable part of our country through our Turkish identity, and we are a source of wealth for our country. However, contrary to Dendias’ claims, our country is excluding us, the Western Thrace Turks, as a result of a policy that denies our Turkish identity, and perceives us as a “national threat’’. Our country, which banned the “Turkish” associations that operated legally and officially until 1983 and has refused to allow new ones to be established, has failed to execute the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments against it regarding our associations for the past 18 years. The educational and religious autonomy of our Minority, guaranteed by the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, has been eroded over the years through various laws and practices. Autonomous and private Turkish primary schools in Western Thrace are being closed, and the muftis elected by our Minority through free will are not recognised. Given all these facts, it is unfortunately impossible to speak of an inclusive and equality-based national unity, as Dendias claims’’, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
*Image: www.anadoluimages.com
