AMSTERDAM - Members of the Parliamentary Commission for investigating the problems of citizens living abroad, listened to the problems of Turkish citizens living in Rotterdam city of Holland on Monday.
Representatives of various associations and federations attended the meeting which was held in Turkish Consul General in Rotterdam.
Turkish representatives said that an atmosphere which was against foreigners appeared recently in Holland due to economic difficulties and the developments after the Sept. 11 terrorist incidents and that there was regression in certain social rights particularly in education.
Turkish citizens said that the decision to cancel education in mother tongue, and the restrictions brought on retirement rights were examples of those negative developments, asking Turkey to take initiatives to solve those problems. The citizens also said that a restriction was brought on marriages with persons from Turkey and a compulsory Dutch course was planned for old first generation foreigners living in Holland.
The chairman of the delegation Mustafa Yazicioglu said that they would prepare a report on those problems which would be completed until December 10.
Yazicioglu said that they also visited the Dutch Minister of Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk and that the meeting was very successful and beneficial.
The commission members will proceed to Belgium and France after Holland to see the problems of Turkish citizens.
(ÖŞ) 03.11.2003