On the last day of the events, on Sunday 7th August during the protocol speeches I also made my speech. During my speech I drew attention to the importance of the Secek events for our culture and history and to the problems faced by our region’s people. In my speech I in particular stated the economic problems faced by minority people and youth being forced to migrate because of the economic crisis. Because, as the FEP Party we believe that due to the economic crisis in our country, the Western Thrace Turkish Minority has been mostly affected.

Tough economic pressures exerted against our minority in the past has left the minority vulnerable in the present crisis. The minority, which is the lowest income group in the country, has been extremely adversely affected with the economic crisis of the past 6 years and many young people from our villages have been forced to migrate. The current situation continues. The crisis and migration wave continues across our villages.

During my speech at the Secek events I stated that in this situation our expectations from the government have not been met and that concrete steps for the elimination of the existing problems have not been taken. I further stated that minority youth are not employed in the public sector according to our population. As I sat down following my speech, Evros SYRIZA MP Dimitris Rizos uncomfortable with what I had said with a aggressive attitude said ‘ minority public servants are sitting here, look the EPATH graduate Association’s president is here.’ Although Mr Risoz had made his speech he wanted to speak again and answer to what I had said.

The Western Thrace Turkish Minority’s minority issues which have not been resolved for over 40 years have seen new problems added. The economic crisis has left minority people in a more difficult situation as they were already on a low income compared to the national average and thus our young people have been forced to migrate.

As the FEP Party, we advise MP Dimistris Rizos not be selective about seeing the truth of the minority, not to be uncomfortable with the facts and of course not to fear the truth. We express our readiness for dialogue and to exchange views with him.

Mustafa Ali Cavus
FEP Party President