TAG paid a working visit to Romania and Bulgaria

The Working Group of Turkic Minorities and Communities (TAG) in the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) paid a working visit to Romania and Bulgaria on 8-12 May 2024.

During the working visit, where TAG Spokesman Halit Habip Oğlu was accompanied by Melek Kırmacı from TAG Secretariat, meetings were held with Turkic minorities and communities in Constanța and Shumen.

Habip Oğlu, who paid a courtesy visit to Emre Yurdakul, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Constanța, on 9 May 2024 also met with the Democratic Turkish Union of Romania, representing the Evlad-ı Fatihan Turks, and the Democratic Union of Turkic-Muslim Tatars of Romania, representing the Tatar community in Constanța.

Habip Oğlu met with President of the Democratic Turkish Union of Romania Febdi Osman, Turkish Minority Member of the Romanian Parliament Hüseyin İbram, Constanța County Deputy Governor Şenol Ali and the managers of the association at the headquarters of the association. Furthermore, Habip Oğlu met with Celil Esergep, President of the Democratic Union of Turkic-Muslim Tatars of Romania, and Romanian Tatar Deputy Varol Amet, at the headquarters of the union in Constanța.

Habip Oğlu introduced FUEN and TAG during the meetings in Constanța. Explaining the work of FUEN, the largest umbrella organisation of national minorities in Europe, and TAG, which was established under its umbrella in 2013, Habip Oğlu was informed about the history, organisation and work of Turks and Tatars, who are among the 18 recognised minorities in Romania.

Habip Oğlu, who met with FUEN member Tatar Democratic Union President Naim Belgin and Mankalya Branch President Özgün Menabit in Mankalya on 10 May 2024, conveyed TAG’s activities in 2024. Moreover, Habip Oğlu was informed about the work of the Tatar Democratic Union.

Habip Oğlu, who later continued his journey in Shumen, Bulgaria after Constanța, visited the Mufti of the Province of Shumen Mesut Hasan, at his office on 11 May 2024. Having learned about the Turkish presence in the Shumen and Deliorman regions and the situation of Turks in Bulgaria, Habip Oğlu was informed regarding the structure and work of the Chief Mufti Offices and mufti offices in Bulgaria. Later, he visited the Tombul Mosque, which was built by Şerif Ali Pasha in 1744.

In the afternoon, a meeting was held with the President of the Association of Turkish Teachers of Northern and Eastern Bulgaria Emine Halil, President of the Tunahan Association Güner Hakkı, Güneş Association President Gönül Mehmedova and Cem Association President Veysel Bayram which was organised by Menent Shukrieva, President of the BIZ Association at the headquarters of the Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce (BULTİŞAD). At this meeting, Habip Oğlu introduced FUEN and TAG and explained their work, and representatives of Turkish associations in the Deliorman region delivered information about their work to keep Turkish culture and traditions alive in Bulgaria.