Alfonsi: The Greek government is responsible for the discrimination of Western Thrace Turks
The eleventh episode of the online programme series of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) titled "Facts in our country" was broadcast on 12 October 2023.
The programme hosted François Alfonsi (Greens/EFA), Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the community on the French island of Corsica.
In the programme moderated by Deniz Servantie from ABTTF Brussels Office, Alfonsi answered the questions on the situation of national minorities in Europe, the protection of national minorities at the European Union (EU) level, Greece's view on national minorities and the current problems of the Turkish community in Western Thrace, particularly education.
Alfonsi, who is also Co-Chair of the EP Intergroup on Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages, stated that the situation of national minorities in Europe varies from one country to another, noting that the rights of the Dan minority on the German-Danish border or the German minority in the South Tyrol region of Italy are guaranteed and implemented within the framework of treaties, whereas the situation of the Turkish community in Western Thrace in Greece is difficult in terms of the implementation of rights and that there are other examples like this in Europe. Alfonsi underlined that there has been a serious regression in the protection of the rights of national minorities in Europe in recent years.
Stating that the Greek government is responsible for the discrimination of the Turkish community in Western Thrace, Alfonsi also emphasised that the French government is responsible for the current difficult situation of the Corsican language on the island of Corsica and that it is necessary to return to the essence of the Copenhagen Criteria on minority rights.
Reminding that in 2012 he was one of the first MEPs to visit Western Thrace, Alfonsi noted that Greece has adopted a centralised state model within the framework of its national priorities and minority identities are denied in the country. Alfonsi noted that without the support of the EU, the situation of national minorities in Greece would be much worse and added that if the EU gives importance to minority rights again, there may be a change in the attitude of the Member States on the issue.
Noting that education in mother tongue is of great importance in terms of identity and culture, Alfonsi underlined that it is the most legitimate right of children belonging to the Turkish community in Western Thrace to receive education in their mother tongue Turkish. Alfonsi noted that the history of the Turkish community in Western Thrace constitutes an indivisible part of the history of Europe and emphasised that Europe can only continue with diversity and that Greece should not deny the diversity of Western Thrace in its history, on the contrary it should accept and value it.
You can watch the entire programme, which was broadcast live simultaneously on ABTTF's YouTube channel and Facebook page, in English and French by clicking on the links below:
YouTube English broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFZt7fP90s0&ab
YouTube French broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_puHtpak58&ab
Facebook English publication: https://www.facebook.com/events/6406123276164548
Facebook French broadcast: https://www.facebook.com/events/306221988795549
