Protection of national minorities in Europe discussed in 'The Realities in Our Country'
The protection of national minorities in Europe and the possible impact of regional development on minority rights were discussed in the "Facts in Our Country" program organized by ABTTF online.
The tenth episode of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) online program series titled "The Realities in Our Country" was broadcast on Thursday, November 10.
Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament (EP) and Member of the Laden minority in Italy, was the guest of the program.
In the program moderated by Deniz Servantie from the ABTTF Brussels Representation, Dorfmann spoke about the status and rights of national minority groups living in the South Tyrol Autonomous Administration in Italy. He explained the agricultural and rural development process of the region, which is accepted as a model in regional development throughout Europe, and economic development.
He also answered questions about the importance in the development of national minorities. Dorfmann also expressed his suggestions for the economic development of Western Thrace in Greece, in comparison with examples from Europe.
Dorfmann reminded that with the enlargement of the European Union (EU) to Central and Eastern European countries 15 years ago, many new national minorities were included in the borders of the EU. He said that each national minority's history, culture, customs and traditions, as well as the protection of their rights, are different.
Dorfmann stated that many national minorities are still not protected in Europe at the moment, and therefore some regional languages are in danger of extinction.
Stating that the Laden minority lives in the Trento and Veneto regions of Italy as well as in South Tyrol. Dorfmann said that the Ladin language was spoken more than 20 years ago. Pointing out that the region he came from has a very different and difficult history. Dorfmann noted that with the start of the democratization process in Italy after the Second World War, the protection of German and Ladin minorities in the country was included in the Italian constitution.
WESTERN THRACE TUKISH MINORITY
Dorfmann said that he has visited Western Thrace in the past years and stated that the current situation of the Western Thrace Turkish society cannot be compared with their society. That is because they are facing different problems.
Pointing out that one of the most important issues for the Western Thrace Turkish society is the problem of political participation.
Dorfmann noted that when he visited Western Thrace, he found that there was no direct dialogue between the Turkish society and the government in Athens, and that this was an important problem.
Stating that it should be acknowledged that the protection rate for national minorities across the EU is not very high Dorfmann said, that states often see minorities as a problem and do not understand that minorities are also an opportunity for them. Dorfmann added that the exemplary situation in South Tyrol could also apply to Western Thrace and that the region could form a bridge between Turkish and Greek cultures.
MINORITIES IN EU COUNTRIES
Stating that minorities in many EU member states generally live in poor areas and young individuals leave their areas for economic reasons Dorfmann said that regional and economic development is essential for a region to remain active and energetic. He said w that South Tyrol was a prosperous and developed region while it was a poor region. He stated that its transformation into a region set a good example.
Finally, Dorfmann stated that he has been in contact with the Western Thrace Turkish community for years. He was pleased to go to Western Thrace and see the situation there personally.
The entire program in English, which broadcasted live simultaneously on ABTTF's YouTube channel and Facebook page, can be watched by clicking the links below:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oae0JMl-kiw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100078862451475/videos/
