Turkish minorities and communities to gather in Skopje for annual FUEN meeting
Representatives of Turkish minorities and communities from nine European countries will meet in Skopje, North Macedonia, from October 15 to 18 for the 12th annual meeting of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) Turkish Minorities/Communities Working Group (TAG).
The meeting will be hosted by the Turkish community in North Macedonia and locally organised by the Turkish Democratic Party (TDP), the political party representing the country’s Turkish community.
The gathering will focus on the cultural life, traditions, social challenges and political representation of North Macedonia’s Turkish community, while providing a platform for participants to discuss developments affecting Turkish minorities and communities across Europe.
PROGRAMME TO INCLUDE INSTITUTIONAL VISITS AND CULTURAL EVENTS
The programme includes presentations on the culture, customs and political and social representation of North Macedonia’s Turkish community, alongside cultural performances and a guided tour of Skopje.
The FUEN TAG delegation is also scheduled to meet representatives at the prime minister’s office and parliament, as well as visit organisations and institutions representing the Turkish community in North Macedonia.
These activities are intended to give participants a closer understanding of the community’s circumstances, institutions and role in the country’s public life.
ROUND TABLE TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS AND FUTURE PLANS
A round-table meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 17, will allow participants to share major developments affecting their respective Turkish minorities and communities over the past year, as well as report on the activities of their organisations.
The participants will also discuss FUEN TAG’s activity plan and roadmap for 2026–2027.
Updates on the meeting are expected to be available through the working group’s social media accounts on Facebook at facebook.com/fuentag and on X at x.com/FUEN_TAG.
FUEN TAG REPRESENTS 12 ORGANISATIONS
Established in 2013 under the umbrella of FUEN, the Turkish Minorities/Communities Working Group currently comprises 12 member organisations representing Turkish minorities and communities across a broad geographical area stretching from the Caucasus to the Balkans.
Its secretariat is run by the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), based in Germany. The group held its first annual meeting in Ankara in 2014.
The Skopje gathering will provide an opportunity for member organisations to exchange experiences, discuss shared concerns and coordinate their activities for the coming year.
