“The Muslim Minority of Thrace is a religious minority. The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which governs its legal status, is not open to multiple interpretations, and its religious and not ethnic character is indisputable,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed in a statement in response to Ankara’s provocations.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that the Lausanne Treaty “does not include any provision for the election of Muftis by the Minority, nor could this be the case given that they are additionally entrusted with judicial and administrative responsibilities.”

The election of the Mufti is based on Law 4964/2022, which provides for the establishment of a committee of minority members to evaluate and nominate the most qualified candidates. This legislation “completed the appointment of the new Mufti of Didymoteicho, while the notices for filling the positions of the Muftis of Xanthi and Komotini have already been published. And this while in Turkey itself the Muftis are appointed.”

“Greece, as a European state governed by the rule of law, handles the issues of the Muslim minority in Thrace with absolute responsibility, based on the principles of equality and freedom, and above all, it ensures the religious freedom of its members. This will not change, just as the name of the Minority as provided for by international law, will not change because some people refuse to accept the absolutely obvious,” the Foreign Ministry concluded.