Consul General Aykut Unal receives minority press members
Turkey's Consul General to Komotini, Aykut Unal, who took office in Western Thrace two weeks ago and started his duty, received minority press members in his office.
Consul General Aykut Ünal, who thanked the members of the press who wished him success in his mission, evaluated the issues that are closely related to the minority community and exchanged ideas with the journalists.
Answering the questions posed by the journalists during the visit meeting, Consul General Ünal stated the following in his answers:
- Could you tell our readers about yourself?
- Thank you for your good wishes. In summary, I started my job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2007, after my master's degree in International Relations, language, and European Union Policies. I worked abroad in Syria, Russia, and Spain, in the center in South Asia, Middle East Personnel, and European Union in different titles. On December 15, 2022, I started my duty as the Consulate General of Komotini with great excitement. The importance of this task is well known. With this awareness and pride, we will try to fulfill our duty with all our Consulate General staff.
- What are your first observations about Western Thrace? How did you find Western Thrace?
- Western Thrace is a region that I follow, like every Turkish diplomat, and know its problems and priorities. Of course, being here and seeing it is a different and deepening experience. I had the opportunity to meet with our kinsmen through the programs in Gumulcine and Xanthi. I will visit other regions and meet with our kinsmen. I see customs and traditions preserved. This made me happy. In addition to this, in the places I've been to so far, the scarcity of young people caught my eye. Unfortunately, due to economic difficulties, young people immigrate to Western European countries, especially the Netherlands and Germany. We also have relatives who immigrated to Turkey. Of course, migration is not the only reason for the decrease in the young population. Preferences to marry at a later age and to have fewer children are other factors. The problems and troubles of our compatriots are not limited to the economic field. We know these in detail, we follow and deal with them within our authority and possibilities.
- Western Thrace and generally Northern Greece welcomes many visitors from Turkey every year. Can we learn your views on this matter?
- Due to its proximity, Western Thrace and Kavala, which is in the jurisdiction of our Consulate, are popular destinations for Turkish tourists, especially during the summer months. During my short stay here, I had the opportunity to see Kavala. What caught my attention in Kavala was the large number of tour buses coming from Turkey. Our citizens from close quarters in Turkey also visit the region throughout the year. I persistently invited my friends and relatives in Turkey. I am trying to increase the number of visitors who will come here in order to get to know the region and embrace our compatriots, within their own means. In the period between May and September, there is a great increase in the number of our expatriates living in European countries or those using this region in transit. As a matter of fact, there are applications to our Consulate General for some consular transactions or emergencies that may occur. With an experienced and dedicated staff. We will take care to provide consular service and patronage in the most effective way.
- What message would you like to give to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and our youth?
- As I said before, the number of Minority youth has decreased. Therefore, each of our young kinsmen is precious and important. Young people grew up in a different era where technological developments completely changed the world. Technology now exists in the workflow in all areas of life and is used effectively. My first advice to young people is not to lag behind the times and to benefit from new technological developments in the most efficient way possible. In addition to the positive features of technology, it is a fact that technology pushes people, especially young people who live more closely with technology, to become lazy to some extent. Due to the comfort brought by technology, people can have a more comfortable life expectancy where they make less effort. But it is a fact that this attitude does not coincide with the realities of the world. I advise young people to work harder, to educate themselves in the best way by using the opportunities they have access to, to know their rights and history well and to continue their struggle in the face of difficulties.
