THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES AS A PART OF EUROPEAN UNION CORE PRINCIPLES

Article 2 of the EU Treaty refers to respect for human rights including minority rights as one of European values common to the member states. In this article, the roles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and of the treaties to which EU member states are parties in the protection of individuals belonging to minorities are analyzed. And the method used in the protection of minority rights in EU law, the role of the protection of minority rights in the EU’s enlargement policy and in its foreign relations are also examined