The 28th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Kazakhstan and the 10th anniversary of establishment of Yunus Emre Institute have been marked with the "Songs from the Turkic World" concert held jointly by the Institute and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) in Kragujevac, Serbia.
- The Turkish minority in Greece must be recognized and free to enjoy their rights, says new report
Greek authorities must take immediate steps to recognize the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and remove all barriers to the full enjoyment of their rights, says a new report published today by Minority Rights Group Europe (MRGE).
- FUEN Vice-President Habip Oğlu paid a working visit to Moscow
The Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) paid a fact-finding mission to Moscow, Russia in order to examine the application of the “Qumuqlar”, the NGO which represents the Kumyk Turks in Russia. Regarding the application of “Qumuqlar”, as the Vice- President responsible for membership applications, Habip Oğlu met with the Kumyks in Moscow.
- The assets of Turk-Muslim foundation are being disposed as fire sale in Greece
In conclusion, a 34 acres of land which is located in Kos Island has been sold to a tourism company in return for 181 thousand Euro with the approval of Administration of Foundation’s Assets of Kos. The decision of sale that was taken in January of 2019 was officially completed.
The 2019 Congress of the Federal Union of the European Nationalities (FUEN) hosted by the Carpathian Germans and the Hungarian minority in Slovakia was held on 12-16 June 2019 in Bratislava / Poison / Pressburg, capital of Slovakia. As the members of FUEN Working Group of Turkic Minorities/Communities (TAG); ABTTF as the representative of Western Thrace Turks, Rhodes, Kos, Dodecanese Turks Culture and Solidarity Association (ROİSDER) as the representative of Rhodes and Kos Turks, International Society of Meskhetian Turks “Vatan” and “Vatan” Public Union of Ahıska Turks living in Azerbaijan as the representatives of Ahıska Turks, Crimean Tatar National Assembly , as the representative of Crimean Tatars participated at the congress at which the 70th anniversary of FUEN was also celebrated.
- FUEN Education Working Group Annual Meeting was held in Brussels
Annual meeting of the Education Working Group of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) was held on 6-8 May 2019 in Brussels, capital of Belgium. As the members of FUEN Working Group of Turkic Minorities/Communities (TAG); ABTTF, Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (BTAYTD) and Friendship, Equality, Peace Party (DEB), representatives of Western Thrace Turks; International Society of Meskhetian Turks “Vatan”, representative of Ahıska Turks and Qırımtatar Milliy Meclisi, representative of Crimean Tatars participated at the meeting held in parallel to the first European Regional Forum on Minority Issues organised by Fernand de Varennes, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues with the support of the Tom Lantos Institute on 6-7 May 2019 in Brussels.
- ABTTF and EFA co-organized a conference on education at the European Parliament
Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) organized a joint conference at the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels on March 20, 2019 with the European Free Alliance (EFA) which has a political group within the European Parliament. Conference with the theme “Fundamental Problems in Education Facing Minorities in Europe: Comparing The Cases of Western Thrace Turks and German Minority in Denmark” was hosted by MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras, Vice President of the Greens/ EFA Group in the European Parliament and Co-Chairs of the European Parliament Intergroup “Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages.
- Turkish FM accuses Greece of failing to protect rights of minority in Thrace
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has criticized Greece of failing to uphold the rights of its Muslim minority in Western Thrace and of forbidding its members to call themselves “Turks.”