Turkish MP slams patriarch for remarks targeting Türkiye: “Greece must end pressure on Turks in Western Thrace”

Rıdvan Uz, a member of the Turkish Parliament from the İYİ Party representing Çanakkale, has strongly condemned statements made by Greek Patriarch Bartholomew I during a recent event on the Turkish island of Bozcaada. The Patriarch’s remarks—delivered at the annual Aya Paraskevi festival held at Ayazma Monastery—were seen by Uz as a direct affront to Türkiye and its historical record.

According to canakkaledemokrat.com, the Patriarch reportedly accused Türkiye of having committed “heinous acts against Greeks” and of “exiling its own citizens,” language that Uz described as “crossing the boundaries of respect.”

"Even on Bozcaada, Turkish Identity is Being Denied"
MP Uz emphasized that Türkiye has fully honored its obligations under the Treaty of Lausanne, noting:

“We’re talking about a state that opens schools even for as few as three Greek students. Yet now, even on Bozcaada, we witness Greek politicians such as [Nikos] Androulakis labeling Western Thrace Turks as ‘Greek Muslims,’ blatantly denying their identity.”

Call to End Oppression of Turkish Minority in Western Thrace
As a politician of Rumelian (Balkan) heritage, Uz issued a direct call to Athens:

“The Greek state must put an end to these outdated, dignity-crushing policies. The pressure on Turkish schools and the Turkish-Muslim minority in Western Thrace must cease immediately.”

He further criticized Greece’s broader minority policies, stating:

“Greece, which claims to be the cradle of civilization, continues to systematically violate basic human rights through its treatment of minorities.”

The latest dispute adds to ongoing tensions between Turkey and Greece over the status and treatment of minority populations in both countries, with the issue of Western Thrace's Turkish community remaining a particularly sensitive point.