Speech by President Herman Van Rompuy at the Turkish Business Association TOBB

Promotion of Civil Society Dialogue III Grant Scheme is launched!

As a continuation of the previous civil society dialogue projects, "Strengthening Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey- III Grant Programmes" has been launched on May 20, 2013. The grant programmes include Political Criteria and Media Components, presented below. The programme aims to establish strong links... 

WE ARE ASSESSING EU – TURKEY CIVIL SOCIETY DIALOGUE TOGETHER

In the process of Turkish accession to the European Union, many projects have been supported since 2004 to develop and strengthen partnerships and dialogue between civil society organizations from Europe and Turkey.  In order to evaluate the results of this process and to pinpoint further priorities for the future, a study... 

Civil Society: Make Your Voice Heard!

The EU is consulting civil society on Guidelines for the support to civil society in the enlargement region. Those guidelines aim at defining areas of particular interest, general policy objectives and support methodologies common to all countries in the region. A consultation meeting was held in Brussels on 25 and 26 April 2013. ... 

DECLARATION BY THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, CATHERINE ASHTON, ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA, 17 MAY 2013

Brussels, 17 May 2013 170513/5 "On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, I wish to reaffirm the EU's commitment to equality and non–discrimination. In many countries, gender identity and sexual orientation continue to be used as the pretext for serious human rights violations. Lesbian,... 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION READY TO SUPPORT THE NEW OMBUDSMAN

Brussels (16th May) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met with the new Turkish Ombudsman Nihat Ömeroğlu. Commissioner Füle expressed the support of the European Commission for the institution of Ombudsman and for the efforts of Mr Ömeroğlu in this very important position. "We believe... 

Copenhagen Accession Criteria: 20 Years that Changed Europe

Štefan Füle European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy ''Conference: 20 years that changed Europe'', Copenhagen 14 May 2013 Minister Wammen, Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to be here in Copenhagen today, the "home" of the membership criteria that must be satisfied by a... 

WITH K. KILIÇDAROGLU ON DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKEY-EU RELATIONS

Brussels (15th May) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle met with president of the Turkish opposition Republican People's Party Kemal Kiliçdaroğlu in Brussels today. They discussed the recent political developments in Turkey and the EU accession process. Commissioner Füle stressed that the... 

Statement on behalf of the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton

The EU High Representative was shocked by the callous attacks carried out in Reyhanli and appalled by the high death toll. She extends her deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved and injured.  The EU, which condemns terrorist attacks in all their forms, expresses its full solidarity with the Government and... 

European Commissioner László Andor to Visit Turkey

Mr László Andor, member of the European Commission responsible for employment, social affairs and inclusion is paying an official three-day visit to Ankara and Istanbul on 8-10 May 2013. The purpose of his visit is to reinforce the dialogue between the EU and Turkey on issues in his portfolio as well as financial cooperation.... 

Speech by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy on the Future of Europe at the University of Helsinki

EUROPEAN COUNCIL THE PRESIDENTHelsinki, 7 May 2013 EUCO 109/13 PRESSE 179 PR PCE 95 I’m very pleased to be in Helsinki today and to have the opportunity to meet with so many of you. All the more since the day after tomorrow, 9th of May, is Europe’s day: our Union’s birthday so to speak, and a good time to take a moment... 

Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2013

THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 3 May 2013 9232/13 PRESSE 181 On the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom day, the EU pays tribute to journalists worldwide who dedicate their lives - sometimes at great personal cost - to reporting events or expressing views that many might prefer to silence. A free, independent and vibrant... 

Speech by Ambasador Ripert, "Sivil Düşün" EU Programme Kick-off Event

Civil Society Facility "Sivil Düşün" EU Programme Kick off event 16/4/2013 Dear activists, dear colleagues, dear friends, As you know, the European Union is, since the Lisbon Treaty of 2009, a Union based on common values and interests. The Rule of Law, democracy, Human rights are the core of those values thanks to... 

ADOPTION OF THE 4th JUDICAL PACKAGE

STATEMENT BY COMMİSSİONER ŠTEFAN FÜLE ON THE ADOPTION BY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT OF THE LEGISLATION ON ANTI-TERROR Brussels (12th April) - ‘The adoption by the parliament of the long-awaited legislation on anti-terror, which will align the Turkish law with European standards is overall a very positive development. I expect it will... 

Union for the Mediterranean: EP Hosts Debate on the Way Forward After the Arab Spring

External relations − 12-04-2013 - 12:48 Strengthening democracy, the role of parliaments and civil society as well as empowering women were the main issues discussed at the Union for the Mediterranean's parliamentarian assembly hosted by the EP on 11 and 12 April. The debate focused on the way forward in the wake of the Arab... 

New Call for Proposals Published for the Sivil Düşün EU Programme (Civil Society Facility Turkey Programme)

The Delegation of the European Union to Turkey has launched a new Call for Proposals under Sivil Düşün EU Programme (Civil Society Facility Turkey Programme) a civil society support programme aimed at contributing to promote democratic values and structures, human rights, social inclusion and the rule of law, thereby supporting the... 

EU-Turkey: With Ministers Bağış and Çelik about Social Policy and Employment

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 10 April 2013 Brussels (10th April) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, together with Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor, met with Turkish Minister of EU Affairs Egemen Bağış and Minister of Labour and Social... 

Joint statement by Commissioners Štefan Füle and Cecilia Malmström on the Adoption by the Turkish Parliament of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection

Brussels, 5 April 2013 ''The Commission welcomes the adoption yesterday by the Turkish Parliament of the law on foreigners and international protection. This law is a clear sign of Turkey’s efforts to establish a sound legal and institutional framework for migration and asylum. This law and the institutions that it provides for... 

Open Consultation - Improving Procedures for Obtaining Short-stay ‘Schengen’ Visas

Have you obtained a short-stay ‘Schengen’ visa over the past three years? The Commission is reviewing the procedures for issuing these visas and would like to hear your views on your experience. The idea is to modernise the policy and your input via this public consultation will help us to make the right changes. The... 

Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton Following her Meting with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu

EUROPEAN UNION Ankara, 03 April 2013 A 184/13 Minister Davutoğlu, can I first of all thank you so much for your hospitality. It is the first time that you and I have actually met in your capital and later I will have the privilege of meeting with Prime Minister Erdoğan which I'm much looking forward to. You and I meet all over... 

HRVP Ashton Travels to Turkey

Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, visits Turkey today. In Ankara she will meet Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Davutoğlu for comprehensive discussions on a broad range of issues, including bilateral relationship between the European... 

INTERVIEW ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2013-2014 ACADEMIC YEAR JEAN MONNET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

The Jean Monnet Evaluation Committee has evaluated the results of the written exam taken on 27 January 2013 within the framework of the 2013-2014 academic year Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme and has determined the list of candidates eligible to be interviewed between the dates from 15 April-13 May 2013. The names of eligible... 

A Wave of Citizenship in the Mediterranean

By Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament and President in Office of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean André Azoulay, President of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue Between Cultures. This op-ed was published in Cumhuriyet daily on 3 April 2013. The Mediterranean... 

Re-launching of the Union for the Mediterranean by Parliamentary Initiative: Martin Schulz Convenes the first Summit of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the UfM

Brussels - 27 March 2013 Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament and President-in-Office of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, will welcome the Speakers of the Parliaments of the member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean in Marseille on 6 and 7 April. The summit, convened at the... 

“Growing Together: International Conference on Cohesion Policy” Address by Ambassador Jean-Maurice RIPERT Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey

(Ankara - 28 March 2013) Distinguished Minister, Distinguished Deputy Ministers, Dear Ambassadors and Colleagues, Distinguished Undersecretaries, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a privilege to be here with you today at this very important and timely conference to discuss the European Cohesion Policy and...