KOMOTINI - Turkish Foreign Minister & Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that Turkish community living in Western Thrace have some problems about Turkish identity.
Addressing to a group of Western Thrace Turks in Komotini, Babacan said, "during our talks with the Greek authorities in Athens, we have very clearly expressed the problems of the Turkish community living in Western Thrace."
"Cooperation between Turkey and Greece is boosting on various areas. Turkish government has the necessary will to further improve relations. Positive results of improving relations between Turkey and Greece will also be seen here," Babacan noted.
"Improvement of mutual cooperation and confidence between Turkey and Greece will have a positive impact on living conditions of Turkish community living in Western Thrace," Babacan said, noting that Turkish public was closely interested in the problems of Turkish community living in Western Thrace.
"You can also take important steps to seek remedy for your problems. Number of cases opened in European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) gradually rises and most of them result in favor of Turkish community in Western Thrace. You should know the value of living in an EU member country," Babacan said.
"Efforts of Turkish community in Western Thrace are very important for the region to progress. New job opportunities should be provided and investments should be made to improve trade. The Turkish community living here should preserve their own culture, customs and traditions and at the same time learn the language of this country being the citizens of this country," he added.
Babacan said using the mother tongue was a fundamental right, however noted that learning Greek, while learning the mother tongue Turkish, was very important for the future of the children.
"You are a bridge of friendship between Turkey and Greece who are bringing us closer to each other," Babacan remarked.
Babacan recalled that Turkish community living in Western Thrace have some problems with the Turkish identity, indicating that, "there is no need to be afraid of this from now on. Turkish identity can not be suppressed by preventing the word Turkish from being used. Above all, this should not be a problem in an EU member country."
Turkish FM noted that, "we expect will from the Greek government to solve the problems".
Babacan was the first foreign minister of Turkey who visited Western Thrace in 47 years.