Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001700/2025
to the Council
Rule 144
Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)
Over the past 70 years, Greeks have suffered significant persecution by Türkiye, with serious consequences for Hellenism in its ancestral homeland.
In 1955, the September Pogrom in Constantinople was a tragic climax of tension: Greek property was looted, churches were destroyed and thousands of Greeks were expelled. In 1964, the Turkish Government ordered the expulsion of Greek nationals and the confiscation of their property, further reducing the Greek population of Constantinople. At the same time, the situation on Imbros and Tenedos worsened, as Türkiye violated international agreements and effectively altered the ethnological character of the islands. To this day, the Greeks of Constantinople, Imbros and Tenedos remain very few in number, bearing the scars of displacement and oppression, with over 99 per cent having sought asylum in order to survive outside Türkiye.
Certainly, the invasion of Cyprus in 1974 brought a new wave of refugees and ethnic cleansing against Hellenism by the Turkish military forces who illegally invaded, occupied and purged the Greeks on over one third of the island.
Clearly, it is absolutely essential to protect human rights and cultural heritage, especially when it comes to Greek (European) citizens.
In view of this:
- 1.How many times and with what demands has the Greek Government raised the issue over the last decade?
- 2.Consequently, how has the Council raised the issue with the Turkish Government?
Submitted: 29.4.2025