Greek Foreign Minister Bakoyannis gave an interview to Daily Hurriyet

On 1 August 2009, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis evaluated the relations between Turkey and Greece after Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu took the office for the Daily Hurriyet.

Bakoyannis: Greece is implementing a policy of “affirmative action”

Upon the questions regarding the statements of the Turkish side about re-opening of the Heybeliada (Halki) Seminary, Bakoyanni stated that Greece was implementing a policy of “affirmative action” in Thrace, in favor of their Muslim fellow citizens in Western Thrace. As might be recalled, Turkey had said that re-opening of the Halki Seminary and granting rights to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace should be taken into consideration simultaneously. Bakoyanni mentioned that the meeting she had with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu in Korfu was very interesting, stating that when they discussed human rights, they both agreed that it was the duty of modern European countries towards their citizens to protect them – especially minority rights. Bakoyanni stated that “Everyone in Greece enjoys the rights and privileges of a European citizen” adding that “Respect of these rights is in no way a bilateral issue between Greece and Turkey. (…) the idea of reciprocity runs contrary to any notion of human rights protection in the modern world. In the twenty first century human rights protection can not serve purposes of political expediency.”

Habipoglu: Greece misinforms the international community

Regarding the statements of Bakoyannis, Halit Habipoglu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) commented that “Interview of Bakoyannis to Daily Hurriyet shows that Greece wants to stay away from the reciprocity principle related to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. Yet, the reciprocity principle, guaranteed by the Lausanne Treaty, aims to secure the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace Western living in Greece and the Greek minority living in Turkey. In the 21st century, common belief of the international community should be summarized; free of conditions in human and minority rights, improving and protecting human and minority rights should be the main aim of the authorities without referring to reciprocity principle. As a result of that belief, Greece should not only take the necessary actions to improve the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, but also remember that Western Thrace Turks are Greek citizens whose rights should be taken under guarantee. Yet, the ones who closely monitor the region know that the situation is far away from being optimal. Statements, which are formulated for the international community, do not reflect the current situation in the region, yet rather figured out by the government consciously. Thus, Greece misinforms the international community by presenting an artificial and incorrect outlook. The ones, who seem to believe the story made up by the Greek government, should understand that we will never be fooled by such statements.”

The news regarding the interview of Bakoyannis is available under the link http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/12192917.asp while the full interview is available at http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/010809_P1845.htm.