Stylianidis demands absurdity for the Greek Minority, ABTTF slams
Western Thrace
Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:07 GMT
MP Evripidis Stylianidis argued that Turkey should respect principles of reciprocity that formes the basis of the Treaty of LausanneMP Euripides Stylianidis said that "As we treat the Muslims of Thrace, so Turkey should treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbro...
MP Evripidis Stylianidis argued that Turkey should respect principles of reciprocity that formes the basis of the Treaty of Lausanne
MP Euripides Stylianidis said that "As we treat the Muslims of Thrace, so Turkey should treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos".
The New Democracy MP of Rhodope, Evripidis Stylianidis, speaking at the event entitled "THRAKI - The Past, the Present and the Future" organized by the American Legion of Athens on January 19, 2022, argued that the principle of reciprocity is respected. Treaty of Lausanne signed between Turkey and Greece and its requirements are fully met.
At the event, which was broadcast live on Facebook, moderated by journalist Athanasios Houpis, Stylianidis, who participated as a speaker with Professor Konstantinos Lavdas, on European and Comparative Politics at Panteion University, argued that Greece fully respects the two principles of reciprocity that formed the basis of the Treaty of Lausanne and the rights of the "Muslim minority" as defined by the Treaty.
Stylianidis said that "just as we treat the Muslims of Thrace, so Turkey should treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos." Stylianidis stressed that there is the right to free expression even if the Greek state is slandered by some circles, stating that "we show democratic tolerance and teach that democracy must work in practice" and claiming that the rights of the Turkish community in Western Thrace have been guaranteed.
Regarding the issue, the President of the European Federation of Turks of Western Thrace (ABTTF) Halit Habip Oglu said: "Stylianidis, who spoke at the American Legion event in Athens, seeks to create a different reality, which is again distorted, on the Turkish community in Western Thrace and the exercise of the rights and freedoms deriving from the Treaty of Lausanne for the Turkish community in Western Thrace. Because Stylianidis stated that Turkey does not act in accordance with reciprocity, while he claimed that Greece continues to fulfill our country's obligations under the Treaty in the field of education and religion, ensuring the principle of reciprocity. I would like to ask the following question to Stylianidis: Can the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos identify themselves as Greeks? Do they, as a community, have the right to elect and manage their own management of the institutions? Can they manage their own schools despite their small number as a community? In the religious sphere, can they themselves appoint the Patriarch to the Ecumenical Patriarchate? The answer to all these questions is "yes" for the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos, on the other hand, we can not claim the same for the Turkish community of Western Thrace. We can not express our Turkish identity, our clubs that contain the word "Turkish" in their name are closed. In terms of education we have our own schools but they are not autonomous due to state intervention, most of their power has been removed from our supervisory committees as it is impossible to say that we are able to manage our own schools. We can not appoint our Muftis, the state appoints Muftis on its own. However, regarding the words, Stylianidis claims that they act in accordance with reciprocity! I ask Mr. Stylianidis: Would you really like Turkey to treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos as you treat us? "
MP Euripides Stylianidis said that "As we treat the Muslims of Thrace, so Turkey should treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos".
The New Democracy MP of Rhodope, Evripidis Stylianidis, speaking at the event entitled "THRAKI - The Past, the Present and the Future" organized by the American Legion of Athens on January 19, 2022, argued that the principle of reciprocity is respected. Treaty of Lausanne signed between Turkey and Greece and its requirements are fully met.
At the event, which was broadcast live on Facebook, moderated by journalist Athanasios Houpis, Stylianidis, who participated as a speaker with Professor Konstantinos Lavdas, on European and Comparative Politics at Panteion University, argued that Greece fully respects the two principles of reciprocity that formed the basis of the Treaty of Lausanne and the rights of the "Muslim minority" as defined by the Treaty.
Stylianidis said that "just as we treat the Muslims of Thrace, so Turkey should treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos." Stylianidis stressed that there is the right to free expression even if the Greek state is slandered by some circles, stating that "we show democratic tolerance and teach that democracy must work in practice" and claiming that the rights of the Turkish community in Western Thrace have been guaranteed.
Regarding the issue, the President of the European Federation of Turks of Western Thrace (ABTTF) Halit Habip Oglu said: "Stylianidis, who spoke at the American Legion event in Athens, seeks to create a different reality, which is again distorted, on the Turkish community in Western Thrace and the exercise of the rights and freedoms deriving from the Treaty of Lausanne for the Turkish community in Western Thrace. Because Stylianidis stated that Turkey does not act in accordance with reciprocity, while he claimed that Greece continues to fulfill our country's obligations under the Treaty in the field of education and religion, ensuring the principle of reciprocity. I would like to ask the following question to Stylianidis: Can the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos identify themselves as Greeks? Do they, as a community, have the right to elect and manage their own management of the institutions? Can they manage their own schools despite their small number as a community? In the religious sphere, can they themselves appoint the Patriarch to the Ecumenical Patriarchate? The answer to all these questions is "yes" for the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos, on the other hand, we can not claim the same for the Turkish community of Western Thrace. We can not express our Turkish identity, our clubs that contain the word "Turkish" in their name are closed. In terms of education we have our own schools but they are not autonomous due to state intervention, most of their power has been removed from our supervisory committees as it is impossible to say that we are able to manage our own schools. We can not appoint our Muftis, the state appoints Muftis on its own. However, regarding the words, Stylianidis claims that they act in accordance with reciprocity! I ask Mr. Stylianidis: Would you really like Turkey to treat the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos as you treat us? "
