Turkey slams Greece over closure of eight Turkish minority schools in Thrace

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 21 July, condemned the Greek government's decision to close eight additional primary schools serving the Western Thrace Turkish minority. Ankara described the move as part of a systematic policy aimed at the education rights of the minority group in Greece. Greek Education Policy Triggers Diplomatic Friction With these latest closures, the total number of Turkish minority primary schools in Western Thrace has dropped from 231 in 1995 to 86. The Greek Ministry of Education cited insufficient student numbers as the primary reason for the suspensions. However, Turkish officials argue that the criteria for closures are applied discriminately, disregarding the special status granted to these institutions under international agreements. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that the decision violates the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and other international human rights conventions. Ankara’s statement on Tuesday called for the Greek government to restore the educational autonomy of the minority community and halt the persistent closure of schools under the guise of "temporary suspension" or "mergers." Impact on Western Thrace Minority The Western Thrace Turkish minority, which numbers approximately 150,000 people, has long faced disputes with Athens over religious freedom, the selection of muftis, and the administration of foundations. The closure of these eight schools affects specific local communities who must now relocate students…