Turkey reacted strongly to Greece's decision to close eight primary schools belonging to the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. In a written statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said the move by the Athens administration violated the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne.
Keçeli noted that as a result of the closure decision taken by Greek authorities on the grounds of insufficient student numbers, the number of Turkish minority primary schools in the region would drop to 76.
The spokesperson also criticized the new obstacles imposed on the registration process at a Turkish minority primary school in Xanthi. Keçeli stressed that such practices are 'another example of a systematic policy targeting the educational rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace'.
"Such discriminatory decisions and actions constitute a violation of the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne."
The Turkish diplomat called on Athens to fulfill its international obligations regarding the protection of minority rights and fundamental human rights.
Keçeli said Greece continues to ignore international court rulings that have identified rights violations against the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, as well as recommendations from leading European institutions. "We once again call on Greece to act in accordance with its obligations arising from treaties on the protection of minority rights and fundamental human rights," he said.
The spokesperson added that Turkey will continue to resolutely support the Turkish minority of Western Thrace in its struggle for rights and justice.
