ABTTF
EN
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Bülten İcon
Batı Trakya

The protection of national minorities in Europe and the possible impact of regional development on minority rights were discussed in the ‘‘Facts about our Country’’ programme

11.11.2022

The tenth part of the online programme series of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) titled ‘‘Facts about Our Country’’ was broadcast on 10 November 2022.

Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the German minority in Italy, was the guest of the programme.

In the program moderated by Deniz Servantie from the ABTTF Brussels Office, Dorfmann answered questions about the status and rights of national minority groups living in the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol in Italy, the agricultural and rural development process of the region, which is considered as a model for regional development throughout Europe, and the importance of economic development in the development of national minorities. In addition, Dorfmann expressed his proposals for the economic development of Western Thrace in Greece in comparison with examples from Europe.

Dorfmann reminded that 15 years ago, with the expansion of the European Union (EU) towards Central and Eastern European countries, many new national minorities were included in the borders of the EU, and Dorfmann indicated that the history, culture, customs and traditions as well as the protection of rights of each national minority are different. Currently, many national minorities are not protected in Europe, and therefore some regional languages are in danger of extinction.

Noting that the Ladin minority is living in South Tyrol as well as in the Trento and Veneto regions of Italy, Dorfmann noted that the Ladin language is spoken now more than it was 20 years ago. Pointing out that the region he came from had a very different and difficult history, Dorfmann noted that with the beginning of the democratisation process in Italy after the Second World War, the protection of the German and Ladin minorities in the country was included in the Italian constitution.

Dorfmann indicated that he had visited Western Thrace in the past years and that the current situation of the Turkish community in Western Thrace could not be compared with their own situation and that they were facing different issues. Pointing out that one of the most important issues for the Turkish community in Western Thrace is the issue of political participation, Dorfmann said that when he visited Western Thrace, he found that there was no direct dialogue between the Turkish community and the government in Athens, and that this constituted an important issue.

Dorfmann indicated that it should be acknowledged that the rate of protection of the national minorities is not very high across the EU, adding that states often see minorities as an issue, but in fact they do not understand that minorities are an opportunity for them as well. Dorfmann added that the example in South Tyrol could also apply to Western Thrace, where the region could form a bridge between Turkish and Greek cultures.

Dorfmann stated that minorities in many EU Member States generally live in poor areas and leave the regions where young people live for economic reasons, and that regional and economic development is essential for a region to remain active and energetic, and that the transformation of South Tyrol from a poor region into a prosperous and developed region is a good example.

Finally, Dorfmann stated that he has been in contact with the Turkish community in Western Thrace for years and that he was pleased to go to Western Thrace and see the situation there in person.

You can watch the full English-language programme, which was broadcasted live simultaneously on ABTTF’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, by clicking on the links below:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oae0JMl-kiw 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100078862451475/videos/3330011907260883

PHOTO GALLERY