Türkiye on Saturday said Greece continues to disregard the fundamental rights and religious freedoms of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace by appointing muftis in Komotini and Xanthi.
In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry said Greece continued to ignore the minority's rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Lausanne Peace Treaty and international agreements by appointing "so-called muftis" in the region.
"The institution of the Mufti is an integral part of the religious, social, and cultural identity of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace," the ministry said.
“By refusing to recognise the Muftis elected by the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace, an official minority in the country, Greece is ignoring the Minority’s will and religious freedom, thereby once again revealing its distorted perspective on fundamental human rights,” it said.
"We call on the Greek authorities to recognise the legitimate Muftis elected by the Minority and to put an end to their attempts to impose appointed muftis," the ministry added.
