Erdogan calls for minority Muslims in Greece to be respected

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded on Friday his two-day landmark visit to Greece, calling for the rights of the Turkish-speaking Muslim minority in Thrace, northeastern Greece to be respected.

"We (Turkey) continue to work hard to improve the quality of life of our Greek origin citizens, like our citizens. And we believe it is our right to expect the same approach from Greece," Erdogan said during a speech in the town of Komotini.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by imams upon his arrival in Komotini, Greece, December 7, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Nearly 1,000 members of the minority group – which numbers between 120,000 and 150,000 in total – warmly welcomed Erdogan to the region which borders Turkey, according to AFP.

Erdogan attended the prayer at the northern Komotini town's Kir Mahalle Mosque and met with leaders of the local Muslim community, Athens News Agency (AMNA) reported.

After the prayer, he visited a Muslim minority high school, where he was greeted by members of the community.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan poses with students and teachers as he meets with members of the Muslim community at Celal Bayar high school in Komotini, Greece, December 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Ahead of Erdogan's visit, security was tight in the town, with roads blocked off, strong police presence and a police helicopter circling overhead.

On his first day of Greece visit – the first to the country by a Turkish leader in 65 years – the Turkish president visited the capital of Athens, holding talks with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Erdogan denounced the "discrimination" of the Muslim minority during talks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, citing terms in the 1923 Lausanne Treaty which he said had not been "respected".

"Right now, in the Greek parliament, four MPs represent you. These lawmakers must work hard."

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan attend a state dinner at the Presidential Palace in Athens, Greece, December 7, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Tsipras on Thursday countered Erdogan's claims by urging him to speed up social reforms in Turkey, where many are still imprisoned after a crackdown by his government that followed the attempted army coup last year.

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency