Abstract:

Lausanne Peace Conference not only witnessed the problem solution process between Turkey and Greece but also included the question of population exchange and the Protocol for Population Exchange was signed during the conference. On the other hand, those who remained out of the protocol were given the minority status. Namely, these minorities are Istanbul Greeks of Turkey and Western Thracian Turks of Greece. The problems between the two countries were not settled after Lausanne; therefore, the parties strove to solve the issue of minorities through renewed negotiations in 1930. After that, the relations between the two countries enhanced during the World War II and Cold War. During these processes, especially during the Cold War period, the flourishing developments between the two countries positively affected the minorities as well. Especially these two countries’ reception of aid from the US and ascension to NATO were highly influential on these positive developments. However, these positive developments did not last much and Cyprus Question came to the surface during 1950s. Especially in line with the Cyprus Question, it is visible that these two countries introduced changes to their policies on minorities. This study focuses on the policies of Greece on Western Thracian Turks and the policies of Turkey on Istanbul Greeks under the light of archival documents and periodicals of the time and simultaneously evaluates the effects of Turkish-Greek relations on minorities.

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