Turkey has criticized Greece over the temporary suspension of operations at minority schools in the northeastern region of Thrace, accusing Athens of undermining the educational rights of the Muslim minority.

The reaction followed a decision by Greece’s Ministry of Education to suspend the operation of 47 primary schools, kindergartens and minority schools in the regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace for the 2026–2027 academic year.

According to the Greek authorities, the decision was based on student enrollment figures and the geographical distribution of the school population.

Ankara accuses Greece of violating minority rights

In a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli condemned what he described as new obstacles affecting the minority, referring to it as the “Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.”

Keçeli specifically criticized the suspension of eight minority primary schools, arguing that the decision further reduced the number of such schools operating in the region.

He also alleged that new obstacles had been placed on first-grade enrollments at a minority primary school in Xanthi, claiming these measures undermined the educational rights of the minority.

The spokesperson argued that the decisions violate the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne and called on Greece to comply with its international obligations and recommendations by European institutions regarding minority rights.

Greece says closures are temporary

The Greek Ministry of Education has stressed that none of the schools are being permanently closed.

According to the ministry, the schools have been placed under temporary suspension due to insufficient student enrollment. It added that any of the affected schools can resume operations in the following school year if enough students enroll.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it would continue to support what it described as the minority’s efforts to protect its rights.