Target language: English
In a report prepared by the European Commission, it has been revealed that Greece used only 21% of the EU appropriation for Pontic refugees in the year 1997 for the intended purpose, as compared to 23% for ethnic minorities. The minority no longer wants to turn a blind eye to the fact that aid received for the development of Western Thrace, at the head of the European Union's list of depressed areas, is not being used for services directed at Western Thrace's Turkish population. The Turkish members of Xanthi's provincial parliament, in a letter they sent to the Regional General Secretariat for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, requested a statement outlining the support given to Thrace up to now under the EU's 1st and 2nd Package Programs, the support that will be given under the 3rd Package Program, and what part of the aid obtained up to now has been given to the minority.