In recent years, people of Turkish origin living in Europe have been acting not only as diaspora representatives but also as influential figures holding important positions in the political, scientific, economic, and cultural life of the countries they live in.
Modern.az presents Turkish-origin individuals recognized in Europe:
Meral Hussein-Ece
Meral Hussein-Ece, born in 1955, is the child of a family who moved from Cyprus to Great Britain in 1950. She is currently a member of the House of Lords in Britain.
Cem Özdemir
Cem Özdemir, born in 1965, has been serving as Germany's Minister of Food and Agriculture since 2021.
Emir Kır
He is a Belgian politician of Turkish origin. He is the mayor of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, one of the 19 municipalities of Brussels.
Veli Yüksel
Born in 1971. The Belgian politician of Turkish origin currently serves as an advisor in the Prime Minister's cabinet in Belgium.
Aydan Özoğuz
Born in 1967. She was a former vice-president of the Bundestag in Germany. She is a member of the Social Democratic Party.
Belit Onay
He was born in 1981. Belit Onay is involved in politics in Germany. He has been serving as the mayor of Hanover, Germany, since November 22, 2019.
Serap Güler
Serap Güler, born in 1968, is a member of the Christian Democratic Union and the Bundestag in Germany. She previously held foreign policy/state positions.
Uğur Şahin
He was born in 1965. U. Şahin is known as a Turkish-German immunologist. He is the CEO of “BioNTech” company.
Özlem Türeci
Uğur Şahin's wife, Özlem Türeci, is also the co-founder and chief medical officer of “BioNTech”.
İlkay Gündoğan
The footballer, born in Germany in 1990, is the former captain of the national team.
Emre Can
Emre Can, born in Frankfurt on January 12, 1994, is a famous footballer.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu
The footballer, born in Germany on February 8, 1994, is currently the captain of Italy's “Inter” club.
Kenan Yıldız
The footballer, born in Germany on May 4, 2005, currently plays for the “Juventus” club in Italy.
Fatih Akın
Fatih Akın, born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1973, currently works as a director and producer.
Mero
Enes Meral, born in Germany in 2000, is currently a rapper known by the nickname MERO.
Eko Fresh
Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1983. He is a rapper known in his country by the nickname Eko Fresh.
Deniz Yücel
Deniz Yücel, born in Germany in 1973, works for “Die Welt” publication.
