Balkan Turkish community representatives meet in Edirne to discuss shared challenges
Representatives of Turkish communities from Bulgaria, Romania and Western Thrace gathered in Edirne, Türkiye, for the second Balkan Turkish Community Meeting, focusing on shared challenges and opportunities for cooperation in education, culture, health, politics, the economy and media.
Organised by the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) and hosted by Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer, the meeting brought together approximately 23 representatives from the three communities. Mustafa Şentop, the 29th Speaker of Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly, also attended.
The event was coordinated by Osman Atalay, a member of IHH’s Board of Trustees, who developed the meeting’s concept and oversaw its organisation. Mariglen Shehi, IHH’s coordinator for the Balkans, was also among the participants.
REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSS COMMON CHALLENGES
The gathering brought together representatives of Turkish communities, civil society organisations, academia, education, the media and other professional fields to exchange experiences and discuss issues affecting Turkish communities across the Balkans.
Education, culture, healthcare, politics, economic conditions, media and civil society were among the main topics. Participants also discussed potential solutions and future joint initiatives aimed at strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Turkish communities living in different countries.
WESTERN THRACE TURKISH MINORITY REPRESENTED
A delegation from Western Thrace also attended the meeting. Mustafa Trampa, president of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board and Mufti of İskeçe (Xanthi), said the discussions addressed the minority’s key concerns and possible ways to resolve them.
In a social media post, Trampa confirmed that he had participated alongside a delegation from Western Thrace, adding that the meeting had provided an opportunity to discuss the minority’s fundamental issues and potential solutions. He also thanked the organisers for the invitation and congratulated them on the event.
ŞENTOP HIGHLIGHTS THE REGION’S FUTURE
Following the meeting, Şentop said participants from Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania and Western Thrace had discussed the future of the Balkans, with particular attention to younger generations, identity and the preservation of shared cultural heritage.
He referred to the region’s approximately 10 million Muslims and stressed the importance of passing its common cultural heritage on to future generations.
According to Şentop, peace and stability in the Balkans depend on communities understanding one another, strengthening solidarity and working together to address shared challenges.
He thanked Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer, IHH and Osman Atalay for hosting and organising the gathering.
CALLS FOR STRONGER REGIONAL COOPERATION
The second Balkan Turkish Community Meeting provided a platform for representatives from Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania and Western Thrace to exchange views on common concerns and explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
The discussions focused on strengthening communication and solidarity among Turkish communities, while identifying areas for potential joint initiatives in the future.
