Turkish Minority Rights in Greece to be Extended

Hitiris also noted that the issue of offering Turkish language education in preschools was being positively examined and it was possible that Turkish as a second language may be added to the curriculum.

Reportedly, the Greek government is planning to apply similar practices in high schools and widen quotas in the universities.

Hitiris stated that Greece, as a member of the European Union (EU), is following an equal policy towards all of its citizens and added: "Because it has to be so. Greece acts as a modern and democratic member of the

EU. Our policy concerning our population, especially the Muslim minority, is in this framework."

Hitiris added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was examining the issue of electing administrators to the Office of Mufti.

In Greece, such administrators are determined by assignment.

Greece qualifies Turks living in Western Thrace as the "Western Thrace Muslim Minority" and does not recognize Skopje Mufti Mehmet Emin Aga and Gumulcine Mufti Ibrahim Sherif.

It was striking that the Greek Government issued this statement after Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul’s visit to Athens.

Gul recognized that Aga and Sherif were elected by the Western Thrace Turk Minority. Gul also noted the election of PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) deputies Galip Galip and Ahmet Mehmet.

He emphasized that he believed Greece would not discriminate against its citizens as a member of the European Union.

Gul also said, "It is natural for people to want their own religious leaders, hodjas and muftis."