Greece's Foreign Ministry rejected Turkey's criticism of the muftis' appointments in Thrace, saying that the Lausanne Convention defines the community as a religious Muslim minority whose members are citizens of Greece. Athens defended its selection process under Law 4964/2022, saying it involved members of minorities, including women, and protected religious freedom. It called the criticism of Ankara "hypocritical," noting that Turkey itself appoints leaders through the state. The ministry said that freedom of religion cannot be used as a reason to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and reaffirmed Greece's commitment to equal citizenship and international law.

Greece's Foreign Ministry rejected Turkey's criticism of the muftis' appointments in Thrace, saying that the Lausanne Convention defines the community as a religious Muslim minority whose members are citizens of Greece. Athens defended its selection process under Law 4964/2022, saying it involved members of minorities, including women, and protected religious freedom. It called the criticism of Ankara "hypocritical," noting that Turkey itself appoints leaders through the state. The ministry said that freedom of religion cannot be used as a reason to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and reaffirmed Greece's commitment to equal citizenship and international law.