On 30 September 2025, the high-level conference titled “Georgia’s European Integration: The Ahıska Turks Question as a Benchmark for EU Standards Compliance” will be held at the European Parliament in Brussels. This event will mark not only an important milestone in Georgia’s alignment with the European Union but also provide a strong platform to once again highlight the long-standing struggle of the Ahıska Turks for their rights on the international agenda.
The program will bring together Members of the European Parliament, representatives of EU institutions, experts from international organizations, civil society representatives, and leading academics in the field of minority rights. In this context, the meeting will emphasize that Georgia’s EU accession process is shaped not only by political reforms but also by the protection of minority rights and the rectification of historical injustices, which are essential benchmarks of EU membership. At the core of the discussions lies the right of return of the Ahıska Turks, who were forcibly displaced from their homeland during the 1944 deportation. This issue is seen as a “test case” for Georgia’s compliance with European standards. The debate will address critical questions: Has Georgia fulfilled its long-standing international commitments? Are the current legal frameworks truly sufficient to ensure the return of the Ahıska Turks? What bureaucratic and political obstacles still prevent the descendants of the deported from reclaiming their homeland? These questions will be among the most striking aspects of the conference.
The participation of internationally recognized experts, including UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Nicolas Levrat, will underline that this is not merely a regional matter but a global human rights issue. Representatives of civil society organizations from across Europe will also contribute, further enhancing the international visibility of the Ahıska Turks cause.One of the most established and influential organizations of the Ahıska Turks, “Vatan Cemiyeti”, will take an active part in the event. Their contribution will mark a new stage in the society’s long-standing international efforts. By addressing both the historical background and current challenges, its representatives will present concrete proposals for resolving the issue.The event is hosted by Member of the European Parliament Ilhan Kyuchyuk and organized with the support of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. Holding such a conference under the roof of the European Parliament makes it necessary to view the Ahıska Turks issue not only as a historical tragedy but also as a contemporary human rights challenge and a test of European values. This event will emphasize that Georgia’s path to EU membership must be measured not only by political criteria but also by the principles of justice, equality, and respect for minority rights, which remain non-negotiable standards.
COMMENTS