Turkey Criticizes Greece Over Closure of Turkish Minority Schools

Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Greece's decision to close eight primary schools belonging to the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated that the closures violate the minority's rights under the Treaty of Lausanne and international law. The schools are located in the Rhodope and Xanthi regions. This action is seen as part of a broader pattern of pressure on the Turkish minority in Greece. The Turkish government has called on Greece to reverse the decision and respect minority education rights.

Global Impact

Politically, the school closures strain Turkey-Greece relations, which are already tense over maritime boundaries and migration. Socially, the move undermines the cultural and educational rights of the Turkish minority in Greece, potentially drawing criticism from international human rights organizations.