On Thursday, September 19, the congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) met in Husum, Germany, home to the North Frisian ethnic minority. This year, the umbrella organization representing the interests of Europe’s 50 million autochthonous minorities and linguistic communities celebrated its 75th anniversary. The 4-day event reflected on past milestones achieved and focused on future challenges.

The Assembly of Delegates once again adopted a comprehensive resolution calling for the development of a European legal framework for the protection and promotion of autochthonous national minorities.

Founded in 1949, FUEN has played a crucial role in the protection and promotion of the rights of European minorities. The celebratory event included many former leaders and prominent figures in minority rights. Loránt Vincze, FUEN’s current president and European Parliament MEP from Romania representing the country’s 1.1 million-strong Hungarian minority, highlighted that the 1990s were a turning point for the organization. The fall of the Iron Curtain opened new opportunities but also brought unresolved minority issues to the fore, which have remained on the agenda.

An event highlight was a lecture by Fernand de Varennes, former UN Special Rapporteur for Minority Affairs, who presented the findings of a FUEN experts’ conference organized last spring. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, sent a video greeting, underscoring the significance of FUEN’s work in defending minority rights across Europe.

Political parties and organizations representing the interests of ethnic Hungarian communities in East Central Europe also played a key role in the congress. Dóra Szilágyi, Executive Vice President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), along with other leaders, strategized during the Hungarian Minority Working Group session on Friday.

The Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Sub-Carpathia (KMKSZ), The Alliance from Slovakia, Alliance of Hungarians in Vojvodina (VMSZ), and other ethnic Hungarian organizations were also present.

Representatives from Hungary’s national minority councils, including the German, Slovak, Romanian, and Ruthenian communities, attended the congress. Their goal was to further strengthen FUEN ties toward the common goal of protecting minority rights in Europe.

Source: Ma7.sk

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