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