Happy Europe Day!

Happy Europe Day!

ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu: In solidarity with other national minorities Western Thrace Turkish Minority we call for the restoration of our rights and freedoms. We urge the European Commission and the European Parliament, to be formed after elections, to play an active role in setting up a Europe-wide national minority protection mechanism.

Today is 9 May Europe Day. On 9 May 1950 French foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented Schuman Declaration for creation of European Coal and Steel Community to serve as a new cooperation mechanism of European nations in the aftermath of years long war and its destructive results. The proposed European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which envisaged a permanent peace environment by pooling coal and steel production, was founded by France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg on 18 April 1950. ECSC is the first institution of the European Union and stands for the first pillar of the Union. The date of announcement of the declaration, 9 May, is therefore adopted as Europe Day.

Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) President and Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) Vice-President Halit Habip Oğlu said “Happy Europe Day for everyone living in the EU. With a population of more than 500 Millions, the European Union stands as a global symbol of economic and political integration. Established on foundations of democracy, equality, freedom, rule of law and respects for the rights of persons belonging to minorities, the European Union realized these key norms in the body of Charter of Fundamental Rights. 100 Millions out of its total population of 500 Millions in Europe belong to national minorities. In many countries of the EU national minorities face, although at varying extend, face common problems. Regarding the minority rights, Western Thrace Turkish Minority suffers greatest difficulty throughout Europe”.

Habip Oğlu furthermore pointed “Unfortunately, there are not Europe-wide protection mechanisms for national minorities. In representation of Europe’s national minorities Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) submitted a request under the framework of European Citizen Initiative (ECI). Yet, we received a refusal from the European Commission with a reasoning that the submitted initiative does not fall into the competences of the Commission. Western Thrace Turkish Minority supported the initiative together with other national minorities of Europe under the slogan “You are not alone”. Today on 9 May Europe Day, in solidarity with other national minorities Western Thrace Turkish Minority we call for the restoration of our rights and freedoms. We urge the European Commission and the European Parliament, to be formed after elections, to play an active role in setting up a Europe-wide national minority protection mechanism.”


*Photo: www.ab.immib.org.tr