ABTTF criticizes Greece over minority rights in Western Thrace
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) criticized Greece following the European Parliament's latest progress report on Albania, arguing that while Greece advocates for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania, it continues to violate the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
The criticism came after the European Parliament adopted a report on Albania's European Union accession process that included calls for stronger protection of the Greek minority's rights, particularly property rights.
ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu said Greece's stance on minority rights in Albania was inconsistent with its treatment of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. He accused Greece of failing to recognize the minority's ethnic identity, obstructing Turkish associations, not implementing relevant European Court of Human Rights rulings, and interfering with the community's religious autonomy.
Habipoğlu also argued that the European Union applies strict oversight to candidate countries regarding minority rights but lacks an effective and binding mechanism to protect national minorities living in member states.
The remarks were made in response to the European Parliament's report adopted on June 17, 2026, during a plenary session in Strasbourg. The report specifically highlighted the historical presence and property rights of the Greek minority in southern Albania.
gundemgazetesi.com
