Forum on Minority Issues Geneva, 15-16 December 2008 Statement by the Representative of the Hellenic Government Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece Ambassador M. Diamessis Thematic focus on “Minorities and the Right to Education” 16 December 2008 (during agenda item VΙΙ) Madame Chair, We understand and we welcome the fact that the representatives of two entities, one association and one Greek political party, have expressed in this forum their views concerning the situation of minorities in Greece. What we cannot understand is the repetition of these very same allegations for a fourth or fifth time today, in every agenda time, although they have been answered clearly by the Greek delegation since yesterday morning. The purpose of this forum is to address minority educational rights. It is not the intention of the Greek delegation to follow the same pattern and monopolize the discussion, regarding unfounded allegations for the minority situation in one European Union country which abides by the provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights. We have been trying to engage constructively in the dialogue by providing specific input regarding the draft recommendations provided by Mrs McDougall who recently was invited and visited my country under her capacity as the Independent Expert on Minorities. Of course we are ready to correct any inefficiencies of our minority education system and that is the reason why the Secretary for intercultural