Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme

Second Award Ceremony, Ankara, 10 December 2007

We have gathered here tonight for the second award ceremony of the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme.
We are doing so in the beautiful setting of one of the most impressive museums of Turkey, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.
This is no coincidence, because the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme is one of the most important investments we are jointly making for the future of this country and for the future relationship between the European Union and Turkey. At the same time, this museum shows in a beautiful and very telling fashion how much the whole of Europe’s civilisation owes to Anatolia.
The Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme provides opportunities for Turkish men and women, including young graduates, to conduct postgraduate studies in a university or a research centre in EU member states. Since 1989, more than 900 civil servants, new graduates, as well as private sector employees to acquire new knowledge and skills related to Turkey’s accession process to the EU.
Eighteen years is indeed a long time. Therefore it is not surprising that the first generation of scholars - some of whom are among us today - is in decision-making positions. These scholars are leading EU relations in the public sector, conducting research, teaching EU-related subjects in the universities and playing a key role in expanding economic growth in the Turkish private sector.
Tonight, we are awarding the Programme’s Certificates to about 200 scholars. Any attempt to single out a few amongst you is by definition unfair. But I cannot resist giving you some examples of excellent achievements:
Rifat ALTAN, Deputy Governor in the Bitlis Province, is with us tonight. He graduated from the Free University of Brussels (VUB), after graduating from both the Bosphorus University and the University of Nottingham. He is holding a key position in the South East of the country.
Emine Güher CELTEK, after graduating from METU in Ankara and Anadolu University in Eskisehir, went to the University of Birmingham at the School of Chemical Engineering. She is now a food safety and food legislation specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Kerim Sercan EVCIN, from the Foreign Ministry, went to the Catholic University in Leuven (Belgium), after graduating from Bogazici University. Not surprisingly, he is dealing with a number of EU countries in the Ministry.
Nilgün ARISAN ERALP first graduated from METU an Leicester University, then went with a Jean Monnet Scholarship to the London School of Economics. She is now, as you may expect, a Director at EU Secretary General specialising in the economic aspects of accession.
This short list illustrates how important the Jean Monnet Programme is for the development of a solid and lasting EU-Turkey relationship on the way to accession.
I am convinced that Jean Monnet Scholars can play an effective role to strengthen the links between Turkey and the EU. You can contribute to the accession process by sharing your expertise and knowledge, and thus make a difference. Because now you have the ability to see the issues from both a Turkish and an EU perspective.
It is also important that Jean Monnet Scholars keep their links between themselves and with their former friends at an EU university. We have some ignorance and prejudice to dispel in the context of the accession process, that personal bonds will prove invaluable ingredients in what is inevitably a long and difficult endeavour.
If I may place a short message to the authorities, actually the same message as last year, I would strongly encourage the public sector to reinforce their participation in the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme. After all, the programme is meant primarily for the public servants and to facilitate the emergence of a qualified group of officials specialised in the EU accession process.
I want to conclude by conveying my heartfelt congratulations to all the Jean Monnet Scholars assembled here tonight and wish them the best of successes in their professional career.
Thank you all.

Last update: 12.12.2007