Thirteen Turkic organisations from eight different European countries took part in the meeting, which was hosted by the Turks of North Macedonia in the capital, Skopje.
The Federation of Turks in Western Thrace in Europe (ABTTF) took part in the 12th annual meeting of the Working Group on Turkic Minorities/Communities (TAG) of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), of which it is a full member, held from 15 to 18 October 2026.
The meeting, organised in the capital, Skopje, by the Turkish Democratic Party (TDP) and the Union of Turkish NGOs in the Republic of Macedonia (MATÜSİTEB) on behalf of the Turks of North Macedonia, was attended by ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu in his capacity as FUEN TAG Spokesperson, whilst ABTTF Vice-President Nabi Ibraimtzik attended as FUEN Vice-President; ABTTF Vice-President Mustafa Kasap also took part on behalf of ABTTF.
The meeting was attended by Western Thrace Turks, the Turks of Rhodes and Kos, Crimean Tatars, Turks from Kosovo, Turks from North Macedonia, Turks from Bulgaria, and Gagauz from Ukraine and Moldova. At the meeting, which brought together representatives of thirteen Turkic organisations from eight different European countries, FUEN TAG members had the opportunity to gain a close insight into the current situation and pressing issues facing the host community, the Turks of North Macedonia.
The delegation, led by FUEN TAG Spokesperson Halit Habip Oğlu, was received on Friday 16 October by Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Skopje Alper Aktaş. Subsequently, the TAG delegation was received at the Prime Minister’s Office by First Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia and Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali and State Minister for International Cooperation and Foreign Investments and President of TDP Zülfikar Zeynula and at the North Macedonian Parliament by TDP Member of Parliament Beycan İlyas.
The discussions covered the current situation and pressing issues facing Turkic minorities and communities living in various European countries, as well as efforts to safeguard their rights, mother tongues, cultural identities and social presence, alongside the international activities carried out by FUEN TAG in this field.
On the same day, the TAG delegation visited MATÜSİTEB, the umbrella organisation for Turkish civil society organisations in North Macedonia. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on MATÜSİTEB’s activities and the work carried out by the Turks of North Macedonia in the fields of education, culture and identity.
At the FUEN TAG roundtable meeting hosted by TDP on Saturday 17 October, TAG Spokesperson Halit Habip Oğlu outlined the work carried out by TAG over the past year, whilst FUEN Vice-President Nabi Ibraimtzik detailed FUEN’s recent activities.
During the presentations in the session titled ‘‘Get to Know Your Brother’’, information was provided on the current situation of the Turks of North Macedonia, their political representation and civil society structures, as well as the work of TDP and MATÜSİTEB.
Participants then shared updates on current developments and challenges faced by the Turkic minorities and communities in the various European countries to which they belong, as well as the activities of the organisations they represent.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the FUEN TAG’s programme of activities and joint roadmap for the 2025–2026 period.
Following the roundtable meeting, the TAG delegation, accompanied by a guide, toured the historic Old Turkish Bazaar in Skopje and met with representatives of Turkish educational, cultural and media organisations operating in Skopje at the Köprü Fine Arts Association.
