1

Danish Minister for Europe wants to cooperate with the European minorities Project for the Balkans should be worked out together A delegation consisting of FUEN-president Hans Heinrich Hansen, FUEN-director Jan Diedrichsen and representatives of the German and Danish minorities had a meeting with the president of the EU Council, the Danish Minister for Europe Nicolai Wammen. At this moment Denmark holds the Council Presidency of the EU. In the talks that took place in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen, the delegation presented the work of FUEN. Since three years Denmark has been amongst the financial sponsors of the largest umbrella organisation of the autochthonous minorities. In an open exchange of views on the situation of the minorities in Europe the discussion came soon to the question on what the civil-society organisation representing the minorities in Europe – FUEN – may contribute to defuse the tensions in specific problem areas of Europe. As has been reported many times in the press, Nicolai Wammen has put particular focus on the Western Balkans during the Danish EU Council Presidency. He explained to the participants of the meeting that also after the Council Presidency will have ended, he foresees that Denmark and the EU will keep a focus on the Western Balkans. Concrete possibilities for cooperation were discussed. The Western Balkans is not really settling down at the moment and the unresolved minority issues are an essential factor to blame. As is generally known, there are some striking examples in Europe – for example the German-Danish border region – where the national antagonism has transformed into peaceful co-existence. The idea to utilise these practical experiences from successful regions – so to say from minority to minority – was very well received by the minister. It was agreed that FUEN and the Ministry – with the support of the minorities in the German-Danish border region – will work further on these ideas and that they will explore concrete project opportunities.