Western Thrace advisory council bids farewell to Consul General Aykut Ünal

The Advisory Council of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace (BTTADK) hosted a farewell dinner for Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine (Komotini), Aykut Ünal, who is preparing to leave the region after completing his posting.

The dinner was held in the village of Eşekçili near Gümülcine (Komotini) on Monday evening, September 21, bringing together members of the Advisory Council, muftis, representatives of associations and unions, teachers, consulate staff, journalists and other guests.

Ünal has served as Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine for approximately four years. Speakers at the event highlighted his contacts with different sections of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority during his tenure.

Mufti Şerif: “He built strong ties with the community”
Gümülcine Mufti İbrahim Şerif delivered the opening remarks, saying Ünal had developed close relations with different parts of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority during his nearly four-year tenure.

Şerif also noted that Ünal and his wife, İlayda Ünal, had made an effort to meet members of different sections of the community.

He described Ünal’s approach as sincere and energetic, highlighting his warm communication with people, and wished him success in his new assignment.

Trampa highlights communication with the community
BTTADK Chairman and İskeçe (Xanthi) Mufti Mustafa Trampa said Ünal’s tenure should not be viewed solely as a period of diplomatic service.

Trampa described the period as one marked by extensive communication and consultation with the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. He said Ünal had maintained diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Greece while using what he described as a “language of the heart” in his relations with the minority community.

Trampa added that Ünal’s departure represented not only a farewell but also the beginning of a new chapter, expressing his belief that Ünal would maintain his ties with Western Thrace.

Ünal: “Western Thrace has a special place for me”
In his farewell address, Ünal said leaving the post was difficult because a change of assignment meant more than departing from an official position.

He said he was leaving behind friendships, memories and experiences accumulated over the years.

Ünal said his time in Western Thrace had allowed him to meet many people with different views and approaches, describing these encounters as an important source of experience.

He also emphasised that Western Thrace held a special place for him and stressed the importance of minority communities acting consciously, in solidarity and around a shared understanding.

Ünal highlights women, young people and teachers
In his remarks, Ünal also spoke about the role of women, young people, teachers and other sections of the community.

He said women should receive greater support in social life, arguing that progress in Western Thrace would not be possible without women’s contribution and perspectives. He also referred to the challenges women face in political and social life.

Ünal thanked quota teachers working in minority schools, saying that despite their limited numbers, they carried an important responsibility in educating younger generations.

He also called for greater awareness and support among young people, particularly regarding minority-related issues. He said mistakes made by young people during the learning process should be treated as natural, while their achievements should be recognised and appreciated.

Thanks to consulate staff
Ünal also thanked the staff of the Consulate General with whom he had worked throughout his tenure, highlighting their professionalism, dedication and efforts.

He called on members of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority to value and appreciate the work carried out by consulate employees.

Reflecting on his departure, Ünal said he was experiencing emotions similar to those he had felt when he first assumed the post nearly four years earlier.

He said he hoped his new assignment would be beneficial for both himself and his career, adding that he would not forget Western Thrace or the friendships he had made there.

Ünal also said he would continue to serve Türkiye’s interests in line with the goals set by the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and thanked the Western Thrace Turkish community.

Plaque and gifts presented to Ünal
Following the speeches, BTTADK Chairman and İskeçe (Xanthi) Mufti Mustafa Trampa presented Ünal with a commemorative plaque.

BTTADK Secretary-General and President of the Turkish Youth Union of Gümülcine, Sedat Hasan, also presented Ünal with a gift. Özgür Kaplan presented another gift on behalf of quota teachers working at minority schools.

The evening concluded with guests saying farewell to Aykut Ünal and his wife, İlayda Ünal, followed by commemorative photographs.