Davutoglu: "While integrating, Turks in Greece should maintain their culture

Meeting yesterday with ethnic Turks living in Greece's Western Thrace region, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on them to preserve their unity and solidarity and be socially, culturally and economically active as Greek citizens, while not forgetting that they are also European citizens. "The Turkish minority in Greece has the right to protect its cultural identity and practice its religion, yet should also be active in Greek society and European Union affairs," Davutoglu said. "The issue of religious freedoms also has to do with international human rights." He added, "We can discuss such matters while respecting our internal matters." Following his meetings with Greek officials in Athens on Wednesday and Thursday, Davutoglu told members of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace that they make up Turkey's diaspora in Greece. "They are our citizens or neighbors, relatives, a bridge between Turkey and Greece," he said. "I told them to remember the heritage which we shared throughout the centuries. We should have more contacts." He added, "[The minority] has the right to protect its cultural identity, practice its religion and have educational institutions to practice its languages. They should continue to maintain these cultural characteristics. But having different cultural characteristics doesn't mean this will lead to conflict. It's a rich resource of Greece, a resource of the Balkans." But Davutoglu also urged Turkish Muslims in Greece to be more integrated in Greek society and European Union affairs.