Türkiye condemns Greece's decision to close 4 Minority primary schools
Spokesperson of the Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç, condemned the Greek decision to close 4 primary schools belonging to the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç stated that they condemned Greece's decision to close 4 more primary schools belonging to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority in the 2022-2023 academic year, and said, "The aforementioned decisions are the result of the discriminatory and oppressive policies that have been carried out in all areas for years against our compatriots in Western Thrace. It is an indicator of its reflection in the field of education.” used the phrase.
Bilgic answered the question regarding Greece's decision to close 4 more primary schools belonging to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Spakesperson Bilgic noted that they condemn Greece's decision to close 4 more primary schools belonging to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority every year, under the pretext of austerity measures and insufficient number of students.
Bilgiç said, "With this last decision, which has been repeated in recent years, more than half of the Minority primary schools have been closed. Thus, it is seen that the policy implemented by Greece to close primary schools belonging to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority through 'temporary suspension' has become systematic." made statements.
In his statement, Bilgiç said, "As we have repeatedly stated, the said decisions violating the right of the Minority to establish, manage and inspect their own schools, in accordance with the provisions of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, are an indication of the reflection of the discriminatory and oppressive policies that have been pursued in every field for years against our compatriots in Western Thrace in the field of education."
Ambassador Bilgiç called on Greece to end its discriminatory policies against minority schools, which it repeats every academic year.
Bilgiç said: "While Greece is closing primary schools on the pretext of lack of students, it also ignores the demands for opening a new Minority secondary school/high school, which is constantly brought to the agenda by the Minority despite the need, and violates the education rights of Minority children."
Türkiye's FM Spokesperson Bilgiç emphasized that Türkiye will always continue to support the Minority's struggle for rights and law both in bilateral contacts and international platforms.
