First meeting of the new European Dialogue Forum

On Wednesday 18 January 2017 the first official meeting of the European Dialogue Forum (EDF) of FUEN and YEN since the election its members at the FUEN Congress in 2016 took place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The working body was established in 2008 to develop closer contacts with the European institutions and influence European policies. The meeting was used to discuss its priorities and working plan for the upcoming years.

At the start of the meeting FUEN President Loránt Vincze gave an overview of the activities and developments inside of FUEN over the past months and the programme for the next year. With the EDF-members several topics were discussed where the European Dialogue Forum could play a role, also based on the expertise and background of its members, who are belonging to minorities from all over Europe.

At the meeting also a new speaker for the European Dialogue Forum was elected. The former speaker, Mr Jens A. Christiansen from the Danish minority in Germany, was re-elected by acclamation.

The meeting was concluded with an open discussion together with Members of the European Parliament, who represent the parties that are member of FUEN. Mr Winkler and Mr Sógor from the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), Mr Pál Csáky from the Party of Hungarian Community in Slovakia (MKP), Mr Andor Deli, Hungarian from the Voivodina (elected on FIDESZ list) and Herbert Dorfmann of the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP) gave valuable insights on the latest developments, such as the election of Mr Tajani as the new President of the European Parliament, important legislative proposals and so on. They also elaborated on what actions FUEN might undertake in order to advance minority policies in the EU and how the European Parliament may be helpful in achieving more minority-friendly legislation in the European Union.