[Reuters]
In a provocative address to the Turkish Parliament’s budget committee, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan again raised the issue of Greece’s Muslim minority, referring to the “Turkish minority in Western Thrace” and demanding Greece refrain from any provocations.
Fidan emphasized that during high-level meetings with Greek officials, efforts were focused on enhancing positive relations, highlighting the Athens Declaration for Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness as a framework for dialogue.
“We expect Greece to avoid provocations,” Fidan stated, while stressing that “the status of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and the Turkish nationals in the Dodecanese remain priorities for Turkey.”
He also noted recent meetings with representatives of the Muslim minority, indicating that Turkey closely monitors the resolution of their issues.
Fidan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to safeguarding its interests in the Aegean Sea and East Mediterranean, stressing the country’s determination on these matters during his latest visit to Athens.