Erdoğan highlights Western Thrace Turks’ rights at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underscored the importance of regional stability and minority rights during his address at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, drawing particular attention to the situation of Western Thrace Turks.

Call for Stability in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean
In his speech, Erdoğan emphasized that the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean should evolve into a “zone of stability and prosperity.” He rejected what he described as unilateral and maximalist approaches that exclude Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, warning that initiatives fueled by regional tensions would ultimately fail.

The Turkish president called for cooperation and dialogue as the foundation for long-term peace in the region.

Cyprus Issue and Two-State Reality
Addressing the Cyprus issue, Erdoğan stated that the firm stance of Turkish Cypriots has made the reality of “two peoples and two states” on the island more visible at the international level.

Focus on Western Thrace Turks
A notable portion of the speech focused on the rights of the Western Thrace Turkish minority in Greece. Erdoğan stressed that the recent improvement in relations between Turkey and Greece should contribute not only to resolving bilateral disputes but also to addressing longstanding rights concerns affecting the minority.

He indicated that ending rights violations against Western Thrace Turks should be an integral part of the evolving diplomatic agenda between the two countries.

Minority Rights in Regional Diplomacy
Erdoğan’s remarks reaffirmed that the rights of Western Thrace Turks remain a key component of Türkiye’s broader regional diplomacy strategy, particularly in the context of improving ties with Greece and promoting stability across the Eastern Mediterranean.