Dear friends, members of the Imbros Greek community, I would like to express my warm thanks for the honor of being invited to address the online cutting of the New Year’s cake by the Imbriot Association. I sincerely wish you all health. Which we all need at this difficult time, during the pandemic, as well as progress and success in your goals. The Imbriot Association, for many years now, has strived under difficult conditions to bring to everyone’s attention the injustices and suppression that Imbriot Greeks have long suffered at the hands of the Turkish Authorities. At the same time, through its multi-faceted actions and initiatives, it is sustaining the distinctive history of the Imbriots. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to provide its uninterrupted support for the effort to revitalise the presence of Imbriots in the land of their fathers, through the establishment of new families there. This effort will continue and be strengthened from year to year. The ultimate goal is to restore, to the extent possible, the historical presence of Imbriot Greeks on the island. An important pillar of our strategy is the staffing, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, of the Greek community schools there. Additionally, finding appropriate employment for Imbriots will be a decisive factor in ensuring their permanent residence on the island. I would be remiss not to mention His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Everyone knows that he traces his roots back to Imbros. His shining example and his ongoing activities aimed at benefiting the Greek community on the island guarantee a positive outcome for your efforts. Moreover, judging by the first months of his pastorate, I believe that His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos will succeed in rallying the Greek community on Imbros. At this point, I must note that Turkey needs, at long last, to realise that the Greek Minority of Imbros, Tenedos and Istanbul is not an enemy of the rest of Turkish society. In fact, it is an intrinsic part of that society’s history. And a point of reference for friendship and peaceful coexistence between our two peoples. Turkey must fully respect the rights of the Greek Minority, falling into line with the international and European standards for respecting human rights and minority rights. Allow me to recall the provisions of Article 14 of the Treaty of Lausanne, on guarantees for the non-Muslim native population, with regard to local administration and protection of their persons and property. The protection of the Greek Minority in Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos was and remains an international obligation for Turkey, based on the Treaty of Lausanne. I would also like to recall the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27 June 2008. This resolution calls on Turkey to seek solutions that would allow the harmonious coexistence of Christians and Muslims on Imbros and Tenedos. In combination with the creation of conditions for the return of diaspora Greeks from Imbros and Tenedos, regardless of whether they have Turkish citizenship. Dear Friends, Our interest in you remains strong and unflagging. Until such time as our neighbouring country rises to the obligations it has undertaken, we shall continue to use all of the available legal and diplomatic tools at our disposal to fulfil the aspirations and historical rights of the Imbriots. With these thoughts, allow me to congratulate you once again on your small and great achievements to date. I and the services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Greece and in Turkey, are at your disposal to provide any assistance deemed appropriate and feasible. May the New Year bring you happiness and good fortune!
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