Patriarch Bartholomew’s consulate visit raises questions

Opinion
Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:06 GMT
A recent visit by Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Kirillos Sikis of Gökçeada to the Greek Consulate in Sydney has reignited discussions around Greece's double standards in its policies and the broader context of Türkiye-Greece relations.
Patriarch Bartholomew’s consulate visit raises questions

A recent visit to the Greek Consulate in Sydney has reignited debates regarding Greece's policies and the delicate dynamics between Türkiye and Greece. The visit, hosted by Greek Consul General Ioannis Mallikurtis, saw Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, alongside several high-ranking religious leaders, including the Metropolitan of Gökçeada and Bozcaada, Kirillos Sikis, and Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

The absence of a visit to Türkiye’s consulate by Turkish nationals, Patriarch Bartholomeos and Metropolitan Kirillos, raised questions within Turkish circles. This scenario particularly resonated with the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace, where interactions between Turkish diplomats and minority members often draw heavy criticism from the Greek media and politicians.

Greek media frequently scrutinizes and targets Turkish diplomats' involvement with the Turkish Minority, branding such engagements as interference in Greece’s internal affairs. Minority members who meet Turkish officials are at times labeled as "traitors." However, similar interactions between Greek officials and the Greek minority abroad, such as this consulate visit, are carried out without any such backlash, highlighting the inconsistency in attitudes.

This double standard has led to growing frustration within the Turkish public, who see it as deepening the challenges in Turkish-Greek relations, particularly concerning minority rights. The ongoing pressure on the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace, paired with Greece’s contradictory actions, exacerbates tensions between the two nations.

In summary, this consulate visit once again highlighted the striking discrepancy in Greece’s treatment of its own minority policies versus those of Turkey. Such incidents continue to fuel diplomatic strains between the two countries.

Prepared by: C.Ö.

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