Turkish MP from N. Macedonia Salih Murat submits question on the officialisation of the Turkish language

Salih Murat, a Turkish MP in North Macedonia, asked questions about the officialisation of the Turkish language in 6 municipalities where Turks make up more than 20% of the population.

Deputy Salih Murat made the following statements in his social media account on the subject:

"During the elections, we promised you that we would pay special attention and work for the officialisation of Turkish language in the Republic of North Macedonia.

We have started to take the first step in this regard today.

As it will be remembered, according to the census conducted in 2021, Turks live in 6 municipalities in Macedonia with a population of over 20%. According to the Constitution, the Law on Local Administrations and the Law on Languages, in these municipalities Turkish has the status of official language together with other languages and is in force.

Based on the law on free access to public information, we sent an official request to the municipalities of Plasnica, Centre Jupa, Mavrova and Rostushe, Konce, Karbinchi and Vasilovo, asking them to provide information on the official use of the Turkish language in the municipal council and in all institutions and organisations operating within the municipal boundaries within the framework of 15 questions.

In the content of the article I prepared, in the questions: Whether Turkish is used in municipal council sessions, working institutions, all official documents, traffic signs, official correspondence, signboards of official institutions, municipal announcements and bulletins, official web pages, information access, announcements, written and oral communication with the public, seals, stamps and other transactions in Turkish language and to what extent Turkish is used in these areas. The questions also include whether there is a Turkish expenditure section in the municipality budget and whether there is a Turkish official translator staff.

With the promise we have made to you on this axis, I will continue my second study on the subject next week, and I will take the third and fourth steps immediately afterwards.

In the short and long term, our goal will be to gain a higher level of officiality of Turkish language at local and central level in North Macedonia."

TB