WRITTEN QUESTION E-1670/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(15 June 2001)

Subject: Respect for the cultural identity of Pomaks and Roma

Approximately 120 000 Greek Muslims live in Greek Thrace. 50 % of those are ethnic Turks and the other 50 % consists of Pomaks and Roma. They exercise their religious rights unimpeded,

there are numerous mosques and a large body of clergymen, and the Greek State completely fulfills its obligations in that area, in total contrast to Turkey, which has wiped out the Christians of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos, and constantly obstructs religious worship in the few remaining churches in that country.

The Greek State, however, for some totally inexplicable reason, refuses to allow the Pomaks and Roma to be taught at school the languages which they themselves have spoken for hundreds of years. While it is compulsory for Pomak and Roma children to be taught Turkish in schools in Greek Thrace, they attempt by every possible means to assert their own identity and their wish to be taught their own languages. In the case of the Pomak language, in particular, it is in widespread everyday use, has an alphabet and grammatical rules but, although reading material has been compiled for pupils by Pomak teachers, it remains unused because the Greek State insists on teaching only Turkish to young Pomaks.

In the Council's view, to what extent is the Greek authorities' policy of eradicating the Pomak and Roma languages in Greek Thrace and replacing them with Turkish consistent with the principles and objectives of the EU concerning respect for the linguistic and cultural diversity of minorities living on its territory? What practical measures could the Council take to persuade the Greek authorities to respect the linguistic identity of the Pomaks and Roma of Greek Thrace?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

Concerning the educational provision for minority languages within Greece or any other Member State the Honourable Member is reminded that Article 149 of the Treaty states that the Community shall fully respect the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity. Similarly, as far as the field of culture is concerned, Community actions are limited to encouraging cooperation between the Member states and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their action (Article 151 of the Treaty).