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Mr Prime-Minister, dear David Statnik, ladies and gentlemen, Members of the Parliament, dear FUEN-members, dear football-fans, From the Karachay in the East – to the North Frisian in the West and from the the South Tyroleans to the Danes; it is a wide range of teams who will participate in the second EUROPEADA championship that takes place in Lusatia during the coming days. The idea to organise a football tournament was developed here – in Lusatia. Namely in 2006 at our successful FUEN Congress in Bautzen / Budyšin. FUEN represents meanwhile 94 minority organisations in more than 30 European countries and is therefore the largest umbrella organisation of the autochthonous minorities in Europe. The first EUROPEADA took place very successfully at our Rhaeto-Romansh friends in Switzerland in 2008. The tournament was a big success. But it is no exagerration to say already now that we are a bug leap further with our second EUROPEADA – in terms of organisation, in playing and in regard to the visibility. We should thank especially the local organiser, Domowina. At this occasion I would like to congratulate Domowina with their 100th anniversary on behalf of all our 94 minorities and the FUEN-presidium. Domowina is one of the most important pillars of our organisation! As president of FUEN I would like to thank you, Mr Tillich. With your support Saxony already in 2006 became the second sponsor of FUEN from Germany, after Schleswig-Holstein. Since 2006 we have been working closely together with you – thank you very much. Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein have more in common than many observers may think. In both Lands the national minorities play an important role. In Kiel – as you may have heard – even with a Danish minority party in government. Both Lands – Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein have made it their goal to increase the use of the linguistic diversity of their Land and to promote it. In Saxony people speak Sorbian and German. In Schleswig-Holstein they speak Frisian, Danish, Romanes and German. We, FUEN will of course keep an eye on the developments and see if the plans announced in Kiel and Dresden to increase the visibility and the promotion of this diversity are also implemented. As the advocate of our minorities we will use critical words if we are not satisfied with specific policies – such as for example lately with the Sorbs in Brandenburg, where their funding was to be reduced. We are glad to see that apparantly an amicable solution was found. 19 Minorities will start in Lusatia. Sport must be and will be the main thing here – and that is how it ought to be. But FUEN is a political interest organisation and we will use this event to raise awareness that in regard to the minorities, many things go badly in Europe.

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There is the disastrous and disgraceful situation of the circa 12 million Roma in Europe, the scandalous non-recognition of the Turkish minority in Greece (both minorities have their teams here) and there is the general question of what Europe actually wants with its minorities? They say that every seventh European citizen belongs to a minority and that the total number is therefore about 100 million people. More than 90 languages are being spoken. In trite speeches this diversity is cherished – but the reality– let me be very honest - is most often something different. Support for minorities in Europe does not come close to being sufficient – there is no plan, no strategy on how the diversity of minorities and languages should be safeguarded in the 21st century. Many languages, including the Sorbian language, are critically endangered. I sometimes use the slightly polemical example: if we, the minorities would be animal species, there would have been several rescue operations already. But we sometimes have the feeling that we have to fight for our continued existence from a rather lonely position. I do not spare Germany either – with the German minorities from Russia, Hungary and Poland three of more than 20 German minorities in Europe compete in this tournament. The Federal Republic of Germany should make up its mind on how it will support these many German minorities in the years to come. Up to now their funding was decreased year after year, without offering a real perspective. We however did not come here only to complain – with this tournament we show clearly that the minorities in Europe are more than beggars and potential disruptive elements. We belong, we want to be seen and we want to play along – not just in sports, but also politically. I wish ourselves much pleasure and many beautiful matches and maybe also some attention for the problems AND the potential that lies within about 100 million people in Europe who are part of the minorities. Thank you.