For lasting friendship, upholding the identity of Turks living in Greece

As is known, Turkish-Greek relations began in 1830 with the war of independence that Greece launched against the Ottoman Empire. This was followed, in order, by the establishment of the Western Thrace Turkish Republic, the Balkan Wars, the First World War, the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres, and Greece's 1919 landing in Anatolia to realize the Megali Idea, its subsequent defeat, and the Treaty of Lausanne, to which the Republic of Turkey—which Greece was also a party to—succeeded.

In addition to the Treaty of Lausanne, a Turkish-Greek Population Exchange was carried out between the two states.

However, the problems between the two states have constantly remained current.

Among these problems, it is possible to count the issues of the Western Thrace Turks and the Greeks in Istanbul, the Cyprus Issue, and matters arising from the geopolitics of the Aegean Sea.

To these problems, the issue of protecting the Turkish identity of the ancient Turks currently living in the Dodecanese is also being added.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF TURKS LIVING IN GREECE?

Turks living in Greece have many problems, ranging from education, zoning, and cultural rights to identity issues, the economy, and political rights.

But the most important one is the assimilation policy that has been applied for years, which, in my opinion, is a cultural genocide.

In this context, the word "Turk" is banned in Greece. According to official Greek policy, the "Turkish" minority is referred to as "Muslim."

The Greeks are practicing a cultural genocide aimed at destroying the cultural, material, and spiritual values of the Turks.

Greek official authorities also deliberately do not allow the repair of architectural works remaining from the Ottoman period belonging to the Turkish ethnic minority in Western Thrace and the Dodecanese.

THE ROOT SOURCE OF CONTRADICTIONS IN TURKEY AND GREECE

Beyond periodic conflicts of interest, it can be said that the existing contradiction between Turkey and Greece stems from two fundamental reasons.

The first of these is the immutability of the perceptions or "stereotypes" that exist against Turks in the collective memory of the Greek public. There is a resistance here.

The second is that contemporary Greek history was built at the end of the war of independence they fought against the Turks. In this context, even today, with the conflict of interest fueled by the Western world, Greece sees the Turks/Republic of Turkey as a threat to themselves.

It is clear that the problematic structure of the Turkish image in Greek perception and these negative approaches do not bring any benefit to either country or their peoples.

For this reason, it is a necessity for a spirit of cooperation rather than competition, and reconciliation rather than conflict, to prevail in Turkish-Greek relations.

The further development of relations between Turkey and Greece on the basis of mutual benefit is important not only for the two countries and their peoples but also for the prosperity and stability of the entire region.

The ability of Turks living in Greece to live with their cultural identities is a human rights issue.

It is not a correct approach for any cultural identity to be destroyed or ignored.

In this context, it is clear that the issue of protecting and developing the Turkish cultural identity in Western Thrace, as well as in Rhodes and Kos, should be one of the leading duties of Greece, which is a European Union country.

Moreover, if renewed, this issue is also a matter of universal human rights.

The Question of How Turkish-Greek Friendship Can Be Lasting Has Many Interconnected Answers

The state of friendship being continuous and lasting depends primarily on the Greek people and the approaches of their state. Rhetoric of friendship that does not stand on solid ground should not mislead anyone.

Peace can be lasting only when a fundamental truth is accepted by Greece.

That is that peace must be built on mutual interest relations. Transforming Turkish-Greek relations from yesterday to today into a lasting friendship by achieving all these is not an easy process.

However, there is no other choice. In building this friendship, great duties fall primarily on the intellectuals of both peoples.

It is observed that there are two groups of intellectuals in Greece regarding their view of Turks.

It is observed that one of these intellectual groups views Turks positively and the other negatively, but the second group is more numerous and powerful.

SOME PROPOSALS ON CULTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP

In our opinion, among the steps to be taken towards transforming mutual relations into friendship, cultural solutions that can be realized more easily can contribute to some extent to the resolution of political problems.

Among the solutions, it is possible to list proposals such as:

• "The problem of mistrust between Turkey and Greece must be resolved.",

• "There is a need for a new perspective in Greek historiography.",

• "Greece should evaluate the purpose of historical science well and not distort historical facts.",

• "Negative perceptions of Turks in Greek textbooks should be eliminated.",

• "Greece should recognize the cultural identity of Turks who are Greek citizens in its country.",

• "Greece should end its cultural operations.",

• "Cultural and scientific dialogue should be established between Turkey and Greece.",

• "Relations between the Turkish and Greek media should be increased.",

• "Connections between local governments in Turkey and Greece should be strengthened.",

• "Economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Greece should be developed.",

• "Tourism between Turkey and Greece should be developed.".

UPHOLDING THE PROBLEMS OF TURKS LIVING IN GREECE

On December 19, 2025, the "Symposium on the Problems of Turks Living in Greece" was held at the Ege University Institute of Turkic World Studies Conference Hall.

At the symposium, first, two talks titled "A General Overview of Turks Living in Greece: History, Culture, and Current Problems" were held. Later, three panels were organized: "Problems of the Turks of Rhodes and Kos," "Problems of the Western Thrace Turks," and "Turkish Culture in Greece."

In the talks and papers, it was expressed that upholding the Turkish identity of Turks living in Greece is, at the same time, upholding a human rights issue.