- Press releases
Turkish minorities and communities from Balkans to Caucasus convened in Gagauzia and showed their cooperation and solidarity
The 5th Annual Meeting of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) Working Group (TAG) of Turkic Minorities/Communities took place on 15-18 November 2018 hosted by Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia affiliated to Republic of Moldova. From Balkans to Caucasus, thirteen Turkish minorities or communities participated at the meeting held in Comrat, capital of Gagauzia. With the aim to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation with the homeland Republic of Turkey, Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) participated at the meeting and informed the participants about the activities of YTB.
As sibling community Talysh people in Azerbaijan participated at FUEN TAG meeting for the first time
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) and the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association representing the Turkish community in Western Thrace, the Rhodes, Kos and the Dodecanese Turks Culture and Solidarity Association (ROİSDER) representing the Rhodes and Kos Turks, the International Society of Meskhetian Turks “VATAN” and the Meskhetian Turks Social Union living in Azerbaijan “VATAN” representing the Meskhetian Turks, the Societal Organization for Strengthening and Development of Karachay-Balkar Traditions “Bars-El” representing the Karachay-Balkar Turks and the Kosovo Youth Union Association representing the Turks living in Kosovo which became the member of FUEN at FUEN Congress in 2018 participated at the meeting in Comrat. Besides, associations who are not yet member of FUEN but participated at the previous FUEN TAG meeting such as Kardzhali Turkish Culture and Arts Association from Bulgaria, the Qumuq association “Qumuqs” from Moscow; the Ukrainian Gagauz Union representing the Gagauzians living in Ukraine and the Turkish Democratic Party representing the Turks living in Macedonia attended the meeting. Furthermore, the Azerbaijan Youth Public Support Association “Education” representing the Talysh minority in Azerbaijan participated at the meeting for the first time with the motto “Recognize your Sibling”.
Vice President of FUEN met with Olesya Tanasoğlu, Vice President of Gagauzian Executive Committee
Vice President of FUEN, Halit Habip Oğlu, was received by Olesya Tanasoğlu, Deputy Governor of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. Habip Oğlu received information about the activities regarding the autonomous region at the meeting where Vitalii Vlah, Head of the External Relations Department of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia was also present.
During the programme hosted by Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with Gagauzia and Gagauzian Turks
Within the framework of the cultural and visit programme hosted by Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia on 16 November 2018, the participants first visited M. Maruneviç Science and Research Center, they were informed about Gagauzia from Irina Konstantinova, Director of the center as well as the studies of the center. Afterwards, the delegation visited Comrat State University and received information about the studies of the university from, Prof. Serghei Zaharia, the Rector of Comrat State Universty. Later on, the delegation visited Cathedral of Saint Joan the Baptist and At-Prolin Horse Raising State Establishment, Dimitri Kara-Çoban Historical Ethnography Museum and Beşalma Village Windmill Cultural Monument. The delegation visited the biggest village of Europe, Kongaz Village, and here they visited National Gagauzian Etno-Avlu Tourist Complex. In the evening, the delegation attended the official reception hosted by the Executive Committee of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia on the occasion of the 5th Annual Meeting of FUEN TAG and here they met with Vitalii Vlah Head of the External Relations Department of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia and Ivan Topal, Governor of Comrat.
Irina Vlah, Governor of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia received FUEN TAG delegation
Irina Vlah, Governor of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, received FUEN TAG delegation at the Executive Committee building on 17 November 2018. At this meeting, while Halit Habip Oğlu, Vice President of FUEN, presented FUEN and FUEN TAG, participant Turkic minorities and communities had the opportunity to introduce themselves. At the meeting held in a warm environment, Governor Vlah stated that she had a pleasure at hosting FUEN TAG delegation in Gagauzia. Vlah informed the participants about the activities regarding the protection of Gagauzian language and culture as Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia and told about their work related to nurseries providing education in Gagauzian and Moldavian languages. Vlah also provided information about their work for the development of Gagauzia and stated that there is a need for the economic investments for the development of the region. Vlah expressed that they want to increase the recognition of Gagauzia in the international arena and indicated that they would be pleased to have all FUEN TAG participant groups to undertake the role of being envoys in this field.
Host Gagauzia presented at FUEN TAG Annual Meeting
Irina Konstantinova, Director of M. Maruneviç Science and Research Center made a presentation which presented Gagauzia and Gagauz Turks on behalf of the host Gagauzia at FUEN TAG 5th Annual Meeting held at General Educational Directorate of Gagauzia.
EPSAYA which participated at the meeting for the first time presented Azerbaijan Talysh People
The Azerbaijan Youth Public Support Association “Education” (EPSAYA) representing the Talysh minority which participated at FUEN TAG meeting for the first time within the scope of “Recognize Your Sibling” made a presentation on Talysh people living in Lankeran, Astaran, Masallı and Lerik regions.
In the continuation of the meeting, Halit Habip Oğlu, Vice President of FUEN and on behalf of FUEN TAG Secretariat Melek Kırmacı Arık conveyed information about the visits paid by Vice President of FUEN within the scope of FUEN TAG activities last year and activities carried out by FUEN TAG. Afterwards, Western Thrace Turks, Rhodes-Kos Turks, Ahıska Turks, Karachay-Malkar Turks, Kosovo Turks, Bulgarian Turks, Macedonian Turks and Ukrainian Gagauzians informed about the developments last year and articulated their current problems they have experienced.
Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities presented their activities at FUEN TAG
Representative of Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), Recep Paçaman, Advisor to the President of YTB, who participated at the meeting on behalf of Abdullah Eren, YTB President made a presentation on the activities carried out by YTB for Turkish citizens in abroad, sibling communities and international students having education in Turkey with scholarship. Advisor Paçaman, addressed the questions of the participants about the cooperation between civil society organizations and YTB, and works and projects that could be achieved with the support of YTB.
2019 road map has been formed with opinions and recommendations made by participants
At the meeting in which FUEN TAG’s 2019 activities were discussed, the road map for 2019 was identified through discussions with participating organizations.
With the aim to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation with institutions and organizations representing homeland Republic of Turkey, FUEN TAG 2019 meeting will be held in Ankara, the capital of homeland.
