Greece: “No Turkish Minority in Western Thrace”
Greece has sparked fresh controversy by denying the existence of a Turkish minority in Western Thrace during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on Thursday, July 24. The statement came in response to references made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regarding the rights of the Turkish Muslim community in Western Thrace and the Dodecanese.
According to a report by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Greece’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ioannis Stamatekos, criticized the OIC’s language in its joint declaration, particularly the use of terms such as “Turkish Muslim minority” in Western Thrace and the “Turkish Muslim community” in the Dodecanese. Stamatekos described these references as “factually incorrect” and “in violation of international law.”
“No Turkish Minority in Western Thrace”
“There is no Turkish minority in Western Thrace,” Stamatekos asserted, claiming that the Treaty of Lausanne defines the minority in Western Thrace solely on religious grounds, as a Muslim minority, and not along ethnic lines. He further argued that such terminology contradicts both the UN Charter and established UN Security Council resolutions.
Equal citizenship claims for Muslim Communities
Stamatekos emphasized that Muslims living on the islands of Rhodes and Kos are “Greek citizens with equal rights,” stating that their religious freedoms are fully protected. He reiterated that Greece treats all its citizens equally under the law, regardless of religion or background.
Cyprus and sovereignty highlighted
During the session, the Greek diplomat also drew attention to the Cyprus issue, underscoring the need for strict adherence to UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550, which reject any unilateral attempts to alter the island’s political status. He further stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of UN member states and avoiding interference in their internal affairs.
“Undermining cooperation”
Stamatekos criticized the OIC for what he described as a lack of constructive engagement and repeated violations of international law, claiming such actions “undermine cooperation with the UN.” He concluded by stating that Greece, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, remains committed to the principles of “honest and sincere cooperation.”
Background
Greece's ongoing denial of the Turkish identity of the Muslim minority in Western Thrace remains a deeply sensitive and contested issue. The Turkish Minority in Western Thrace, whose rights were guaranteed under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, identifies itself as Turkish, a designation Greece continues to reject on official grounds.
The latest developments are likely to further strain relations between Greece and OIC member states, as well as fuel tensions regarding the treatment and recognition of ethnic minorities within the EU.
