Turkish invasion with cheap loans

Ziraat Bank is a financial institution with a presence in all the critical areas for Turkey (Caucasian republics, Bosnia, Bulgaria, FYROM, Turkish-Cypriot sector, etc.), based in Komotini and with a branch in Athens, which seems to be making the most out of our difficult national affair.

And this is not a figure of speech since, according to sources, today it is providing a lot of business and farming loans, and not just to the Muslims of Thrace, but also to more than 250 Greek citizens with financial difficulties, people who are tested without being able to find another bank refuge and are attracted by the generous offers of this bank, which as we are demonstrating today, are reported by Greek MP’s as «unfair and nationally provocative».

Meanwhile, even the Business Chamber of Komotini (all relevant data is available) has its deposits in the bank. «It’s has been a known issue in the Rodopi community for a while now. As much as the development of economic diplomacy can help overcome the traditional rigidities and conflicts, such business moves should be made according to certain rules. The market is killing nationalism but the opposite must not happen either. Otherwise, the people pay for the damage, and the bill is heavy», we are told by Rodopi MP Evripidis Stylianidis.

From the position of Deputy Foreign Minister, he himself had worked previously on the actions of Ziraat Bank, but the activation of Turkey National Bank through the acquisition of Finansbank froze any criticism against the Turkish plans in Thrace. But the situation today seems to have reached a deadlock. This is because there are many of our fellow Greeks who reach the point of taking loans with way too soft terms (antagonism speaks of possible intervention and control by the National Bank of Greece) in exchange for the mortgage of land and buildings in sensitive national territories.

Market circles are talking about at least 150 depositors in Athens and more than 100 Greeks in the rest of the country who went to the Turkish bank for help in 2010.

The secret actions of the Turkish offshore companies

Many are those who believe that the situation has gone beyond all control. Moreover, the question was filed long ago in Parliament, but has not been answered and will return as a timely one in early January. As Stylianidis pointed out, due the nationally vulnerable character of the area, the purchase of land is not permitted. However, such a thing can be achieved by countries outside the EU, and possibly through business partnerships active in our common homeland, Europe. Valid sources however, say that Turkish offshore companies based in Cyprus and Malta are preparing to buy off land and buildings, if our compatriots are unable to repay their loans.