'Greece should restore the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace' says deputy chairman of Turkey’s nationalist party

İsmail Özdemir, Deputy Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Deputy of Kayseri, touched upon Western Thrace in his speech in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman and Kayseri Deputy İsmail Özdemir, in his speech at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, touched upon the injustice done to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority by Greece.

Özdemir, in his speech on the Proposal regarding the approval of the military cooperation memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Uganda, touched upon the tension between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, İsmail Özdemir said that the military expenditures of Greece that only harmed itself and its economy were not included in Turkey. Therefore, giving rise to tensions, constantly provocative actions and taking a toxic attitude towards relations do not solve the problems for this country, on the contrary, it brings with it the obligation to face serious problems. They should understand that if they advance at this speed and level in opposition to Turkey, they will definitely see a reward one day.”

Özdemir pointed out that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu openly shared with the world public that the sovereignty of the islands would be discussed if Greece continued to arm the islands, and that two letters were sent to the United Nations on behalf of Turkey because Greece violated the status of the demilitarized islands in the Aegean. “This approach is correct in our opinion and it should be. Greece, which implements all kinds of unlawfulness and focuses on even more aggressive policies by pouring spoiledness into aggression, should know that it will see the necessary response and attitude in the face of every step it will take from now on, and it should act accordingly," he said, adding that if there is a contrary intention by Greece, the bill will be costly.

Stating that the Treaty of Lausanne and Paris should be followed, İsmail Özdemir said, “Greece should immediately stop arming the islands, islets and rocks that should be in non-military status, withdraw the fortifications it has built and maintained until now, and return the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.”