Greece stresses minority rights in Albania, Western Thrace Turks denounce “double standards”
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has underlined that the protection of the Greek national minority in Albania remains a top priority for Greece, prompting criticism from representatives of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, who accuse Athens of applying double standards on minority rights.
Gerapetritis met with Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, in Athens on Tuesday, December 16. The talks focused on the Western Balkans’ integration into the European Union and Albania’s EU accession process.
Following the meeting, Gerapetritis said Greece is adopting a constructive stance in Albania’s EU accession negotiations. He emphasized that safeguarding the rights of the Greek national minority in Albania is of paramount importance for Greece and is also vital for strengthening the rule of law.
Commenting on the developments, Halit Habip Oğlu, president of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), offered a critical perspective on Greece’s approach. While noting that Greece’s demand for the protection of the Greek minority in Albania is understandable, he pointed out that similar calls made by Türkiye regarding the rights of the Turkish community in Western Thrace are often portrayed in Greek public discourse and politics as “interference in internal affairs.”
Habip Oğlu said Greece’s stance highlights a clear double standard in its approach to minority rights. He referred to recent reactions from Greece to statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan concerning the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace as the latest example of this inconsistency.
“Our country must put an end to this double standard,” Habip Oğlu said. “When it comes to the rights of our community, which consists of Greek and EU citizens, it must stop turning a blind eye every time.”
Stressing that minority rights and the rule of law are universal values, the ABTTF president added that Greece, as one of the European Union’s long-standing member states, has an obligation to fully respect and uphold these principles.
