Controversial Pan-Imbrian Conference sparks tensions
Patriarch Bartholomew and the official delegation of the Orthodox Christian Church speak to reporters following their visit with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 25, 2021. (Reuters Photo)
A Pan-Imbrian Conference, aimed at promoting the reunification of Gokceada (Imbros), is being organized by the Hellenic Foundation of Greece under the auspices of the Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos. However, the conference has already sparked controversy due to a violation of the Lausanne Treaty.
In the brochure prepared, Bartholomew, the archpriest of the Fener Greek Church under the Fatih District Governorate, was referred to as the “ecumenical patriarch” in violation of the Lausanne Treaty.
At the conference to be held between Sept. 24 and 28, topics such as increasing the Greek population on the island, Greek education and scholarships for children of Greek origin living on the island, and the renovation of Gokceada and Bozcaada will be discussed.
The brochure promoting the conference also included provocative statements. According to the brochure, Türkiye has created an atmosphere of terror against the Greek communities in Gokceada and Bozcaada since 1964. According to the claims, villages were evacuated, and there were arrests, looting, violence and murders against the Greeks.
These provocative allegations are expected to increase tensions between Türkiye and the patriarchate and between Ankara and Athens.
