ABTTF attends 12th annual FUEN Turkish minorities working group meeting in Skopje
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) attended the 12th annual meeting of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) Working Group of Turkish Minorities and Communities (TAG), held in Skopje, North Macedonia, from 15 to 18 October 2026.
Hosted by the Turkish Democratic Party (TDP) and the Union of Turkish Civil Society Organisations in Macedonia (MATÜSİTEB), the meeting brought together representatives of 13 Turkish organisations from nine European countries to discuss minority rights, cultural identity and cooperation.
ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu attended as FUEN TAG spokesperson, while ABTTF Vice-President Nabi İbrahimcik participated in his capacity as FUEN vice-president. Mustafa Kasap also represented ABTTF as a vice-president.
Participants represented Turkish minorities and communities from Western Thrace, Rhodes and Kos, Crimea, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bulgaria, as well as Gagauz communities in Ukraine and Moldova.
The gathering provided FUEN TAG members with an opportunity to learn more about the situation and current challenges facing the Turkish community in North Macedonia.
MEETINGS WITH NORTH MACEDONIAN OFFICIALS
On 16 October, a delegation led by FUEN TAG spokesperson Habip Oğlu met Türkiye’s Ambassador to Skopje, Alper Aktaş.
The delegation subsequently held meetings at the North Macedonian Prime Minister’s Office with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali, and Minister of State for International Cooperation and Foreign Investment and TDP President Zülfikar Zeynula. The group was also received at the North Macedonian Parliament by TDP MP Beycan İlyas.
Discussions focused on the situation of Turkish minorities and communities across Europe, including efforts to protect their rights, mother tongues, cultural identities and continued existence as communities. Participants also discussed FUEN TAG’s international activities in these areas.
The delegation also visited MATÜSİTEB, the umbrella organisation for Turkish civil society organisations in North Macedonia. Representatives outlined their work and initiatives concerning education, culture and Turkish identity.
“GET TO KNOW YOUR KIN” SESSION HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY ISSUES
During a roundtable hosted by TDP, Habip Oğlu presented FUEN TAG’s activities over the previous year, while FUEN Vice-President İbrahimcik briefed participants on the organisation’s recent work.
A session entitled “Get to Know Your Kin” focused on the situation of North Macedonia’s Turkish community, its political representation and civil society structures, as well as the activities of TDP and MATÜSİTEB.
Representatives then shared recent developments affecting the Turkish minorities and communities they represent across Europe, outlining common challenges and their organisations’ ongoing work.
The meeting concluded with the preparation of FUEN TAG’s activity programme and joint roadmap for the 2025–2026 period.
VISIT TO SKOPJE’S OLD TURKISH BAZAAR
Following the roundtable, participants took a guided tour of Skopje’s historic Old Turkish Bazaar and met representatives of Turkish educational, cultural and media organisations operating in the city at the Köprü Fine Arts Association.
The meeting formed part of FUEN TAG’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among Turkish minorities and communities across Europe and to address shared concerns relating to minority rights, language, culture and representation.
