60 Years on a Path From Being a Guest Worker to Full Citizenship

The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) held a gala event and a reception on the 60th anniversary of the labour agreement signed by and between Türkiye and Austria.

The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) held a gala event and a reception on the 60^th anniversary of the labour agreement signed by and between Türkiye and Austria on May 15, 1964. The event was attended by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Austrian Federal Minister of Women, Family, Integration and Media Susanne Raab, YTB President Abdullah Eren, Turkish Ambassador to Vienna Ozan Ceyhun, leading figures of the Turkish NGOs and communities, and senior officials of Austria.

Turks Here Are Now an Integral Part of Austria

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş delivered a speech during the event. Mrs. Göktaş began her remarks extending her regards to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Pointing to how the Turkish community helps make the relations between the two countries robust, Mrs. Göktaş added: “When the Turks moved here, they were viewed as ‘gastarbeiter’, who would stay for no more than a couple of years. However, they did not go back and years have gone by and people whose parents are originally from Anatolia were born here as the second and third generations. The homeland was far away whereas their heart was in striking distance. The local Turkish community has helped make the relations between the two countries robust. You are the reason why. The Turks are now an integral part of Austria”.

Mrs. Göktaş noted that Türkiye and Austria are two countries with long-established relations, and reminded that this year marks the 60^th anniversary of the labour agreement as well as the centenary of the Türkiye-Austria friendship treaty. Mrs. Göktaş remarked that both sides have engaged in cooperation for many disciplines ranging from education and security to economy and arts: “The relations between the two long-established states have moved into another dimension and paved the way for the Turkish community here.”

Mrs. Göktaş referred to how the Turkish community, who has made significant contributions to the Austrian economy, has helped both countries warm up to each other in cultural and humanitarian aspects: “In this sense, we consider each Turkish national residing in this country a key instrument of the strong bonds between Türkiye and Austria. The Turks have now become an integral part of the social, political, economic, and cultural communities of Austria in trade, science, medicine, politics, art, and sports.”

We Keep Close Tabs on All of Their Problems

Also referring to the ever-growing cases of racism in recent years, Mrs. Göktaş said: “It is our most fundamental duty to advocate for the rights of the Turkish nationals facing racism and discrimination. In this sense, we keep close tabs on all of their problems and try to figure out solutions in response.”

Most of the Turks Consider Themselves a Part of This Country

Raab, the Austrian Federal Minister for Women, Family, Integration and Media, remarked that she had celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the labour agreement when she held a different position in Türkiye and today she was pleased to attend the 60^th anniversary celebrations as a minister.

Minister Raab noted that the most of the Turks residing in Austria consider themselves a part of the country: ‘Many people of Turkish origin have found a second homeland in Austria and have grown into a part of social life. Marx Frisch once said, ‘we wanted workers, but human beings showed up’. These people have established a new life in a new place and made it their second homeland. And they have shown us that living in Austria without compromise on their own roots is living for Austria’.

We’re Always There for Turks Abroad

YTB President Abdullah Eren remarked that one can summarize the story of the Turks in Europe as a success story, and that YTB is always there for the Turks abroad. Mr. Eren noted that the Turkish community made production possible for Austria and worked hard to achieve the dream of building a shared future, and added: ‘Turks have been walking on this path for 60 years now, originally being a guest worker and now with full citizenship rights on equal terms with other Austrian citizens, and have made production possible for Austria and worked hard to achieve the dream of building a common future.”

Mr. Eren said that the journey that started as an immigrant has now progressed to a stage where Turks are an essential and integral part of Austria. Eren added, “The Turkish community of Austria has since ushered in a time of interactions with an undeniable impact, building mosques and cultural centres and founding media outlets and publications. The Turkish community makes us proud thanks to their extraordinary inputs for Austria in economy, politics, civil society, academy, culture, arts, and sports. Turkish entrepreneurs have established around 6,400 businesses and employed more than 10,000 people, making Turks a vital force in the Austrian economy.”

Taking the floor during the event, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Vienna Ozan Ceyhun said: “Having moved to Europe, the Turks have faced a great deal of difficulties in daily life. Not only here but also in Germany and France. They used to reside in a domicile called Heim. However, there is now a community of Turks of Austrian origin who feel safe here and are working to find common solutions to problems. Their children have grown up to become doctors, engineers, politicians or key figures in society.”