The round-table discussion ‘The Gagauz of Ukraine: history of formation, protection of identity, Issues of Legal Status’ took place on 1 October 2026 in Kyiv, bringing together representatives of the Gagauz community, state institutions, local authorities, parliamentarians, academics, civil society representatives and international partners.
Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, took part in the event, underscoringthe importance of the parliamentary dimension in discussing issues related to safeguarding the rights of national communities and improving the relevant legal mechanisms.
Participants discussed the historical and contemporary aspects of the formation of the Gagauz community’s identity in Ukraine, the state of the realisation of its rights, issues of legal status, as well as possible approaches to further ensuring the effective protection of ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity.
Particular attention was paid to the question of whether the Gagauz community meets the legally defined criteria for recognition as an indigenous people of Ukraine, as well as to the potential legal, institutional and practical aspects of this issue.
The round table served as a forum for open and constructive dialogue between representatives of the Gagauz community, state bodies, the public and the expert community. The discussion helped to identify common approaches, pressing issues and possible next steps in the field of protecting the rights, culture, language and identity of the Gagauz people in Ukraine.
Based on the outcome of the meeting, key conclusions and recommendations will be drawn up, which may form the basis for continuing the dialogue between the stakeholders and for further work on improving the legal and institutional mechanisms for protecting the rights of the Gagauz community in Ukraine.
The event was organised by the joint European Union–Council of Europe project ‘Support for the Implementation of European Standards on Combating Discrimination and the Rights of National Minorities in Ukraine – Phase II’ and the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affaires and Freedom of Conscience.
