YTB panel in Brussels showcases Turkish diaspora success stories across Europe
Türkiye’s Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) hosted a high-profile panel in Brussels spotlighting the achievements of the Turkish diaspora across Europe, with prominent political and civil society figures emphasizing identity, education, and institutional coordination.
The event, held at the TOBB Brussels Office, featured Bilal Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Vakfı, and Zafer Sırakaya, Deputy Chair of Turkey’s ruling AK Party.
The discussion was moderated by YTB Deputy President Abdulhadi Turus and brought together successful representatives of the Turkish community from academia, science, medicine, law, civil society, and business across European cities.
“Breaking Glass Ceilings” in Europe
In his opening remarks, Turus underlined that the panel aimed to examine the presence and future of the Turkish community in Europe, including how members of the diaspora have broken “glass ceilings” while preserving their cultural identity.
He acknowledged that rising racism in parts of Europe has made upward mobility more challenging, but argued that Turkish communities have demonstrated resilience and determination in overcoming these barriers.
Bilal Erdoğan: Identity and Success Must Go Together
Bilal Erdoğan said the event illustrated how far the Turkish diaspora has progressed in Europe.
“We can see how assertive and accomplished the Turkish diaspora has become in Europe. This gives me great satisfaction,” he said.
Erdoğan emphasized the need for stronger organization and greater sensitivity toward education, urging closer cooperation between civil society organizations in Türkiye and Turkish communities abroad.
He warned of what he described as global cultural erosion and argued that communities should preserve their traditions and identities in order to build self-confidence and foster mutual respect.
“If societies are at peace with their own culture and identity, their relationships with others will be based on equality,” he said, adding that diaspora success is more meaningful when achieved without losing cultural roots.
Erdoğan also addressed youth mobility and migration debates, encouraging young people to gain international experience while maintaining a sense of responsibility toward contributing to Turkey’s development.
“The issue is not whether to go abroad or not,” he said. “The issue is having the awareness to return and serve the land where our roots lie.”
Zafer Sırakaya: A More Engaged State
Zafer Sırakaya, who described himself as a member of the diaspora, noted that Turkish communities across Europe have written numerous success stories.
While individual achievements are valuable, he argued they should evolve into a collective team spirit, particularly as the diaspora moves from third to fifth generations.
Sırakaya highlighted that Turkey has strengthened institutional ties with its citizens abroad under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, pointing to expanded overseas voting rights and enhanced diaspora engagement policies.
He also addressed the rise of racism in Western societies, contrasting what he described as Western identity politics with Türkiye’s tradition of coexistence.
Diplomatic Participation
The event was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Brussels, Barış Tantekin, and Consul General Onur Sevim, alongside numerous representatives of the Turkish community in Belgium.
The panel forms part of YTB’s broader strategy to strengthen diaspora networks, promote institutional coordination, and highlight the socio-economic contributions of Turkish communities across Europe.
