FEP Party President Mustafa Ali Cavus stated that the strong condemnation against the coup attempt in motherland Turkey on 15th July and wished mercy and condolences to those who lost their lives or were injured.

The President in his speech stated:

‘ The most important aspect is that ownership is taken of the region’s history. A community can only survive if it takes ownership of its culture and history. We, of course want to be a part of this land.

I want to say the following as there are two MPs here; we do not want to leave this land. But we continue to see that we are treated as second class citizens. Our population in the Rhodopi, Xanthi and Evros region is sufficient. We have educated youth, graduates from schools of this country who return to the region with dreams and hopes however because their names are Ayse, Fatma they cannot be public servants, in this country even if you are educated because you are Turkish or a Muslim you cannot be a public servant. We are forced to leave this land. Enough! This needs to end! There is a crisis but this is not true for the Greek part. There is a crisis for the minority! We at once want this to be solved by the government.

We are malleable. We support living together. We want to serve this country. Look, if there was such event somewhere else wouldn’t there be a road, water and electricity? We should not deceive ourselves. Let’s continue talking fact. We are well intended. Surely, one day the FEP Party will be in parliament. We will not discriminate. We will not separate people upon religion or race. We look at humans with a human eye. We are branded as a ‘racist party’ for stating minority issues. No, we are not a racist party. We love people and will continue to do so.’

President Mustafa Ali Cavus thanked everyone who contributed to organising this historic event and wished luck to the oil-wrestlers.

Following the protocol speeches there were folklore performances. 2016’s Secek Head Oil Wrestler was won by Faruk Akkoyun.