TAG holds study visit to Romania, Bulgaria

The Working Group on Turkish Minorities and Communities (TAG) of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) paid a study visit to Romania and Bulgaria between 8-12 May.

During the study visit, TAG Spokesperson Halit Habipoğlu was accompanied by Melek Kırmacı from TAG Secretariat and meetings were held with Turkish minorities and communities in Constanta and Shumen.

On 9 May Thursday, Habipoğlu paid a courtesy visit to Emre Yurdakul, Consul General of Turkey in Constanta, and met with the representative of the Turks in Constanta, the Romanian Democratic Turkish Union and the representative of the Tatar community, the Democratic Union of Muslim Tatar Turks of Romania.

Habipoğlu met with Febdi Osman, President of the Romanian Democratic Turkish Union, Hüseyin İbram, Turkish deputy of the Romanian Parliament, Şenol Ali, Deputy Governor of Constanta Province and executives of the association at the headquarters of the association.

Habipoğlu met with Celil Esergep, President of the Democratic Union of Muslim Tatar Turks of Romania and Varol Amet, Romanian Tatar MP at the headquarters of the union in Constanta.

During the meetings in Constanta, Habipoğlu introduced FUEN and TAG. Habipoğlu explained the activities of FUEN, the largest umbrella organisation of national minorities in Europe, and TAG, which was established in 2013 under the umbrella of FUEN, and provided information about the history, organisations and activities of the Turks and Tatars, who are among the 18 recognised minorities in Romania.

On 10 May Friday, Habipoğlu met with FUEN member Tatar Democratic Union President Naim Belgin and Mankalya Branch President Özgün Menabit in Mankalya and informed them about TAG's activities for 2024. Habipoğlu was informed about the activities of the Tatar Democratic Union.

After Constanța, Habipoğlu went to Shumen, Bulgaria and on Saturday 11 May he visited Mesut Hasan, Regional Mufti of Shumen, in his office. Habipoğlu was informed about the Turkish presence in Shumenu and Deliorman region and the situation of Turks in Bulgaria, and he learnt about the structure and activities of the Grand Mufti's Office and Mufti's Offices in Bulgaria. Then he visited Tombul Mosque built by Şerif Ali Pasha in 1744.

On the same day, with the organisation of Menent Shukrieva, President of WE Association, a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Bulgarian Turkish Businessmen Association (BULTISAD) with Emine Halil, President of the Association of Turkish Teachers in Northern and Eastern Bulgaria, Güner Hakkı, President of Tunahan Association, Gönül Mehmedova, President of Güneş Association and Veysel Bayram, President of Cem Association. During this meeting Habipoğlu introduced FUEN and TAG and explained their activities. The representatives of the Turkish associations in the Deliorman region also gave information about their activities to keep alive the Turkish culture and traditions in Bulgaria.