Members of the European Parliament pass an action plan to improve the
situation of Finno-Ugric minorities in Russia
On 26th of April, members of the Finno-Ugric
Forum at the European Parliament approved an action plan to help Finno-Ugric
minorities of Russia to improve their situation. Pointing at the goals
set by the World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples, the action plan provides
for measures to improve the linguistic and cultural situation of these
peoples, bringing it into accord with international standards.
The Finno-Ugric Forum urges the official
bodies of European Union to enter a dialogue with the Russian authorities
on the issues of linguistic and cultural rights of Finno-Ugric minorities.
It also stipulates for cultural and youth exchanges and co-operation
on the grass-root level.
The Forum decided to send its delegation
to the next meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Finno-Ugric
Peoples scheduled for this November in Syktyvkar, the capital city of
the Komi Republic (Russia).
Members of the European Parliament also
agreed to draw a resolution on the continuing violation of human rights
in the Republic of Mari El and in the territories of Finno-Ugric peoples
of Russia in general.
The Finno-Ugric Forum includes 44 delegates
of the European Parliament, mostly from Finland, Hungary and Estonia.
Appendix: English
text of the Action Plan approved by the Finno-Ugric Forum of the European
Parliament (passed 26.04.2005 in Brussels).
Additional information:
Toomas Savi, phone: +32 228 45 814, +372 51 22 318
http://www.suri.ee
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