Greece reaffirms position on Western Thrace Minority: “Not ethnic Turkish, muftis are not elected”

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its longstanding position on the status of the Muslim minority in Western Thrace, responding to recent statements from Türkiye regarding the appointment of muftis in the region.

In its official statement, the ministry rejected the characterization of the minority as “ethnic Turkish,” emphasizing instead that it is a religious minority as defined under the Treaty of Lausanne.

“The Muslim minority in Western Thrace is a religious minority,” the statement said, adding that the legal framework established by the 1923 treaty is not open to reinterpretation and clearly defines the minority’s status as religious rather than ethnic.

Addressing the issue of religious leadership, the ministry argued that the Treaty of Lausanne does not provide for the election of muftis by the minority community. It further noted that muftis in Greece hold judicial and administrative responsibilities, making their selection through elections incompatible with the country’s legal system.

The statement also highlighted recent legislative developments, referring to Law 4964/2022, which establishes a committee composed of minority members—including women—to evaluate and propose candidates for mufti positions. According to the ministry, the appointment of the mufti of Dimetoka has already been completed, while calls for applications have been issued for the muftiates of İskeçe and Gümülcine.

The ministry additionally pointed out that muftis in Türkiye are appointed rather than elected, drawing a comparison with Greece’s own system.

Reaffirming its stance on minority rights, the Greek Foreign Ministry stated that Greece, as a European state governed by the rule of law, addresses issues concerning the Muslim minority in Western Thrace based on principles of equality and equal citizenship, while guaranteeing full religious freedom.

“This position will not change,” the statement concluded, asserting that the internationally recognized designation of the minority remains unchanged despite differing interpretations.