Dear colleagues,
Mr Chairman, I will ask from the beginning to give me additional time to inform you on the matter, because the allegations of Mr Mustafa Kaimaktsi, who is self-called as the “President of the Dodecanese Turks” blatantly offends Greece as a sovereign European state but also disregards the international treaties. I make it clear from the beginning that: From 1923 until today, the Treaty of Lausanne, signed between Greece and Turkey, is still in force. According to this, the only legally recognized minority, is the one of the Muslim minority in the northern Greek Region of Thrace.
With the Treaty of Paris of 1947 and the annexation of the Dodecanese islands into the Greek territory, the Muslim Greek citizens living in the islands have the same rights with other Greek citizens, as foreseen in Article 19.
I am therefore utterly surprised by the fact that the Committee accepted a letter that raises a non-existent issue and which ignores International Law.
I start with his reference to the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of 2012 and the fact that he accuses Greece of taking no action ever since. I want to remind you that the 2012 Resolution, notes that the inhabitants of Rhodes and Kos with a Turkish cultural background are well integrated into the multicultural societies of the two islands.
Moreover, the Assembly commends the Greek Government for its genuine commitment to maintaining the developing the two islands cosmopolitan character, in particular by protecting their historical monuments without discrimination.
Whatever proposals were made in the resolution towards the Greek government, have been implemented!
For instance, on July 2021 with a new law, the status of the Vakufians was clarified, ending opaque manipulations and dealings.
I want to also emphasize upon the fact, that Greek Muslims live only in Rhodes and Kos and nowhere else in the Dedoecanese. Official figures show that they 3,500, that’s it!
Vakfus are governed exclusively by members of the Muslim community appointed by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious affairs.
He claims that there are no mosques open to worship
With the earthquake in 2017 where 2 mosques were destroyed in Platani and in the city of Kos. Immediately the Greek state, has provided a provisional site of worship in Platani, where most of Greek Muslims of Kos live. While major constructions are being made in order to be fully functional by 2024.
All 5 prayers are performed normally, as provided by the Islamic religion, the call to prayer is heard and there is a catechism school for those Muslims who work inside the mosque. Weddings and "funerals" also take place there.
Regarding Rhodes:
-One mosque is available for prayer every day
-One mosque is used on the occasions of weddings
-One mosque is open for prayer, during the big religious events
It becomes evident that the Greek authorities adopt all the necessary measures.
Regarding his claim about the Turkish language
Since 2006, students can choose the Turkish language. This has not entered into force since there is little to no interest.
It is very provocative and unacceptable for a Turkish citizen to accuse Greece of not being interested in Ottoman monuments, and in fact only about a year after President Erdogan converted the world heritage site, Hagia Sophia, museum into a mosque, as well as the historic Monastery of Chora.
For anyone who has visited Rhodes and Kos, It is foolish to claim that the Greeks have left the Ottoman monuments abandoned. Proof of the millions of tourists for decades now who are surprised by the extremely well-preserved, dozens of Ottoman monuments and it is an insult to Greek taxpayers who through the Ministry of Culture, have paid hundreds of millions of euros to make the 2 islands open air museums of Islamic Art.
Οnly the propaganda of some can poison the century-old relations of the local population regardless of religion. Because there is also the official announcement in 2020, of the Cultural Association of the Muslims of Rhodes that denounces any attempt of exploitation from Turkey.
“We are Greek citizens, we respect and honor our country and it’s laws. Political games and nationalistic references behind our back are not acceptable wherever they are from.”
