http://www.avrupa.info.tr/: Latest News http://www.avrupa.info.tr/ Latest news from en http://www.avrupa.info.tr/: Latest News http://www.avrupa.info.tr/ http://www.avrupa.info.tr/ Latest news from TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Thu, 23 May 2013 18:12:00 +0200 <![CDATA[Speech by President Herman Van Rompuy at the Turkish Business Association TOBB ]]> "Turkey and the European Union today" Ankara, 23 May 2013 Speech by President of the...]]> Read more >]]> "Turkey and the European Union today" Ankara, 23 May 2013 Speech by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy at the Turkish business association TOBB It's a pleasure to be here in Ankara, and a privilege to speak at this important venue for international and economic debate. I should like to thank the President of TOBB for his kind invitation. This is my fourth visit to Turkey – and the first one to Ankara in my official, European capacity. I have very good memories of my first three visits to your country, back in 1976 and 1998, to Istanbul, at-the-time as a private visitor, overwhelmed by the encounter between East and West, and also once to Izmir and Efes, admiring the remains of Ancient Greek civilisation. But no doubt today's official visit will prove even more of a highlight! And I am particularly pleased to be visiting your capital city of Ankara, capital of a thriving Turkey, playing an ever more important political and economic role at the world stage – and at an important time for EU-Turkey relations. Earlier today, I had a substantial meeting with President Gül; after this conference, I will meet Prime-Minister Erdogan – a meeting I'm very much looking forward to. With my hosts, I discussed-and-will-discuss our bilateral relations, as well as recent developments within Turkey and within the European Union. On the agenda is also the political situation in the region, with Syria a matter of grave concern for both sides. These are the themes I should also like to touch upon here with you at TOBB. Turkey and the European Union have been closely associated for the past 50 years. We should use this anniversary to rebuild momentum in our relationship. I am glad to say that in today’s talks I clearly felt how we all want to further strengthen the ties that bind us. As a candidate negotiating EU-membership, Turkey’s ties to the Union are already very strong. Last December, under my presidency, all 27 heads of state or government of the Union reconfirmed their commitment to Turkey’s accession process. After a moment of standstill, this commitment will give a new impetus and will soon be translated into a concrete step forward. And I am confident other such concrete steps will follow. The accession negotiations are the main driver in our relationship. We knew in advance they would take time. But even beyond this path strewn with chapters, statements and acquis, we share a long history and the bonds of geography. European member states and Turkey are allies, also militarily, in promoting peace and security. The ties between the people in our societies are old and deep. Many EU citizens have a Turkish origin; many Turkish citizens residing in EU countries fully participate in economic, social and political life. We see a strong two-way- traffic of businesses, of students, of tourists, of people exchanging ideas and sharing experiences. It's a tangible sign of our cooperation and common interests. This is one of the reasons why visa liberalisation is an important common goal on our immediate political agenda. It is a step that will knit our societies closer together; it would, in a way, be like a new, third bridge over the Bosporus… I trust that an early signature by Turkey of a so-called ‘readmission agreement’ with the European Union would allow us to advance quickly through the roadmap leading to visa free travel for Turkish citizens. I am hopeful on the outcome. Since Turkey has already addressed important elements that are part of the roadmap, progress can be swift. Visa free travel would give our relationship a new impetus. It will also change the way we see each other. The more encounters, the more we can see ourselves in the mirror of the other. It is a particular pleasure to state at this business forum, that Turkey’s dynamic economy is impressive. In the past decade, your GDP in real terms has grown on average by more than 5 percent. This would have been the best growth performance in the European Union. Today your country would be the sixth or seventh economy of the European Union in terms of total GDP – together with the Netherlands and firmly before Belgium, Poland and Sweden. It is a real economic transformation, not yet always fully acknowledged by European public opinions, but one that places your country among the European Union’s most valuable economic partners. By the way, we envy your low level of public debt (35 %) in these days of sovereign debt crisis! Our respective economic performances are tied. Last year (in 2012) our bilateral trade totalled € 115 billion. The European Union is Turkey's biggest trading partner. And Turkey is the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner. No less than 75% of foreign direct investment that flows into your country – with a strong high-technology component – comes from the Union. So I appreciate that you look with particular interest at our economic situation also. As your guest, please allow me to bring some news from Brussels, the unofficial capital of the European Union. Before zooming in on the events of the day, I should like to do so with some perspective. Certainly, the last few years have been a challenge for our economies. We are working hard to finally overcome the aftermath of the global financial crisis. But let me underline my strong belief that the current stagnation is but momentary, and one that member states will overcome. We will bounce back and will do so, as you well know, from relative height. That will also be good news for your own economic growth, and that of our other partners. The European Union, as the 27 member countries taken together, is the largest economy and trade bloc in the world. With 7 % of the world population (a little more than 500 million people), we account for more than 20 % of global GDP – which is more than the United States, and more than China and Japan combined. If you look at the top 500 companies in the world, more come from the EU than from the US, Japan or China. Our countries rank among the highest in attracting foreign direct investment, and they're also among the highest investors abroad – with € 5 trillion per year, more than the US and Japan combined. Beyond being a major economic player, one distinctive feature is our focus on maintaining a certain type of society. Preserving the solidarity of our welfare systems while promoting innovation, openness and mobility, for instance. To illustrate with one fact: every second Nobel prize in science goes to a European. This attachment to Enlightenment values is also something that inspired President Atatürk and lies at the foundations of the modern Turkish state. It is a precious heritage, for all of us. As I said, confronted with new challenges, within the Union we have undertaken every possible effort in the past three years to deal with them:

  • safeguarding the financial stability of our currency zone at a moment of risk.
  • making our economies more resilient;
  • fighting unemployment and stimulating growth with immediate measures – a priority today
As a result, the existential threat to the eurozone has been defeated. The euro remains a strong global currency. Unlike many other major economies or currency zones, the eurozone has a firmly balanced current account: this means we are not feeding into global imbalances and it shows a solid basis for our overall economic performance. In dealing with the difficulties of the past few years, we kept all along the long-term perspective. Because – just like your country after a financial crisis one decade earlier – we absolutely wanted to avoid this happening again in the future! We discovered the true extent of our (internal) interdependence: what happens in one country can affect all the others. That is why we launched the process of completing the EU’s Economic and Monetary Union. For instance with more closely coordinated fiscal and economic policies– a work well under way. At the moment we are focussing on a banking union. It is one of my priorities in the weeks and months ahead. These changes go beyond policy-making among governments and officials in ‘Brussels’: they require political support of people and parliaments across the Union. Public opinions, too, are coming to terms – slowly but surely – with what it means to share a currency with other nations, to share a market across a continent, to share institutions and a common destiny as Europeans. In our solid but lively democracies, this growing awareness sometimes comes with vocal debate. Turkey, as a neighbour and a candidate, is well aware of just how diverse this Union is – between and within countries west and east, small and big, more and less prosperous… But sharing a democratic destiny also means: sharing a space where we can peacefully disagree. It is fundamental. The values of democracy and political liberty are equally cherished in modern Turkey. Turkey's continued reform efforts are very important in this respect, also in the way it deals– or has to deal – with internal differences, inevitable disagreements, dissenting voices. Significant progress has been made, including in the constitutional reform process and most recently with the adoption of the fourth judicial reform package. Progress in this fundamental area is important for Turkish society, and will also improve the prospects of our bilateral relations, particularly as regards the process of accession. I am confident the Turkish leadership and representatives from all political parties will pursue this path – with determination and through dialogue. In this context, I recall the importance that the European Union attaches to fundamental rights and freedoms, in particular the freedom of the expression. We have also noted with great respect the courage and vision the Turkish government of Prime Minister Erdogan has shown in engaging a solution process to solve the Kurdish issue. This is the best chance in a generation to resolve a conflict which has claimed far too many lives. Such deep conflicts, which long seem intractable, can only be overcome thanks to trust – trust and commitment on both sides. Reconciliation is a work of the mind. A resolution of this conflict could have many positive ramifications, perhaps even more than you’d now dare to hope. The European Union is built on reconciliation – on reconciliation after World War II. And even very recently, Belgrade and Priština showed this spirit of reconciliation after the heavy conflict in the Western Balkans. I already mentioned a few points on our bilateral agenda, but there are more. As you know, the world’s two largest economic blocks, the European Union and the United States, are entering the process of negotiating a free trade area (the Transatlantic Trade and Investments Partnership, or ‘T-TIP’, as it is called in full). With the EU and the US representing together nearly half of world GDP and a third of world trade, it's a huge opportunity not just for both sides of the Atlantic, but also further beyond: the deal could potentially bring up even the rest-of-the-world's GDP by up to €100 billion. For Turkey, since you are part of the Customs Union with the EU, this trade deal will have important consequences too. That’s why the European Union is looking into the best way to keep Turkey involved in the process. In the end it will benefit all. There are other areas where we can work together, such as energy – an issue I discussed yesterday with the EU's 27 Heads of State or Government within the European Council. All leaders are keenly aware that in the politics of energy, economic and strategic considerations are joined at the hip. Turkey is an important partner to the European Union in this field and a bridge to suppliers. We have a common interest in improving access to energy resources, particularly from the Caspian and Central Asia. At a time of growing demand worldwide, diversifying supply sources is a must, be it from conventional or renewable energy. Given our common energy challenges, increasing our cooperation in energy matters is desirable. That’s why European Commissioners and Turkish Ministers last year agreed to deepen our energy relations in several ways.
  • they look into market integration and the development of infrastructures of common interest (gas, electricity, oil);
  • they look into long-term energy scenarios;
  • they look into the promotion of renewable energy and clean energy technologies;
  • and into nuclear safety as well.

In the weeks ahead, the ‘Shah Deniz Consortium’ will take the important final decision as to the route to Europe after the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline, over land or over sea. Either way, its completion will establish your country as an important Eurasian energy hub. This brings me, indirectly, to Cyprus. As I’ve said this morning to President Gül, it remains essential to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue. In the current juncture, many elements are coming together that can either make the situation more complex or help trigger a solution to the benefit of all. For the latter outcome to prevail would require the right dosage of constructive steps forward and respectful patience, and of course mutual understanding.
In particular, the discovery of gas reserves off the shores of Cyprus could be an incentive for peaceful reconciliation. A settlement would open up the range of options for the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in the economically most advantageous way for the benefit of all Cypriots. When looking into European history, I see a striking parallel. The historic reconciliation between France and Germany after many wars was built on the idea of sharing coal; coal and steel, the war-fuelling products, stood at the basis of the European project. In one brilliant move, political leaders on both sides turned around a situation, changing a mutual threat into a common opportunity, only five years after the end of the Second World War.As I asked one year ago in the Parliament in Nicosia: switching gas for coal, could this example not be an inspiration for the two communities of Cyprus?
As for the European Union, we fully support a comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus conflict within the United Nations, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and with the principles on which our Union is founded. A solution would also make a huge difference for the relations between the European Union and
NATO and allow these two institutions to work much more closely together. This brings me to our cooperation on the global stage.
Turkey is an important partner for the European Union in the G20. It is one of the key fora of economic policy coordination in today’s interdependent world. Its very existence expresses the fact that no country can solve its problems in isolation. It is perhaps no coincidence that the overwhelming majority of the economies represented in the G20 also happen to be democracies: economic development and political liberties tend to go hand in hand. Of course there are exceptions. In the region more in particular – one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the world – your country plays such an essential, constructive role. With Prime Minister Erdogan, we will speak of the terrible crisis which affects Syria, and of our efforts to work for a solution. Turkey is bearing the brunt of the consequences of this tragedy. The despicable terrorist attacks in Reyhanli are a clear reminder of the dangers involved and the price your country is paying – on behalf of the European Union, I have expressed my condolences to the government and the people of Turkey. I will personally commend again the Prime Minister for the solidarity and vision shown by the government and your country's citizens. You have opened your borders to those fleeing violence. Your country is leading in humanitarian support and playing a key role in efforts to find a political solution. The European Union will continue working with Turkey as well as with other partners and allies in order to re-establish peace and stability in Syria. The political solution should aim for a Syria that is democratic, united and tolerant. We now have a new chance to push for political negotiations, in Geneva, under the helm of the UN Secretary-General, and we should all do our utmost to ensure their success and stop all violence. In the meantime, the European Union will maintain its important humanitarian contribution, its targeted sanctions and its political contribution in the United Nations. We also stand ready to support reconstruction efforts. Beyond the emergency in Syria, your regional role and active involvement in the wider neighbourhood is irreplaceable. Turkey is a key international partner and ally for the European Union and we are committed to enhance our political dialogue on foreign policy issues of common interest, such as developments in North Africa, the Gulf, Pakistan, the Southern Caucasus or the Horn of Africa. This is a promising venue to tighten further our cooperation, as two other examples can show: Afghanistan and the Middle East. As regards Afghanistan, we both believe that regional cooperation is crucial for long-term stabilisation and the development of Central Asia. Turkey and many EU Member States joined forces with other allies in ISAF. The 2011 Istanbul Conference has been a landmark. The European Union has been contributing substantially to support international state-building efforts in Afghanistan, with an average of close to € 1 billion annually during the last decade. The Union is determined to develop its partnership with Afghanistan also after 2014, the crucial year that will mark the departure of the international military presence. We are in there for the long haul! As regards the Middle East Peace Process, we both believe we should not allow other dramatic events in the region to distract the attention of the international community from addressing this key question. Turkey’s role in the internal Palestinian reconciliation and the re-launch of its relations with Israel are real assets. The EU – one of the most active supporters of the Palestinian Authority and a long-time friend and partner of Israel – will do its utmost to help bringing negotiations back on track. I have come to Ankara to underline the importance the European Union attaches, at the highest level, to our relations with Turkey in all their dimensions. It is an encounter between friends and partners. The goal of the European Union is to further reinvigorate this important relationship, to strengthen the various processes in which it is reflected and to deepen the ties between the peoples of Europe and the people of Turkey. Together we can lay the groundwork to build new and stronger bridges between Europe and Turkey.

]]> Thu, 23 May 2013 18:12:00 +0200 <![CDATA[Promotion of Civil Society Dialogue III Grant Scheme is launched!]]> As a continuation of the previous civil society dialogue projects, "Strengthening Civil...]]> Read more >]]> Political Criteria grant programme is to give opportunity to the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Turkey to get familiar with the policies of the European Union concerning political issues both in terms of legislation and implementation and to be prepared for accession through strengthening the contacts and mutual exchange of experience between all civil society actors on political issues in the Member States and Turkey. Through this programme institutional capacities of CSOs whose role is important for development and implementation of political reforms will be improved. The priority areas of this grant programme are:
■       Human rights,
■       Anti-discrimination,
■       Democracy and Rule of Law. The overall indicative amount made available under Political Criteria Grant Programme of Civil Society Dialogue between EU and Turkey - III is EUR 6.000.000. Associations or foundations which are nationals of a Member State of the European Union or Turkey and of which working fields fall under one of the priority areas of Political Criteria Grant Programme can apply. Call for Proposals for this grant programme was published on May 20, 2013. Deadline for submission of concept notes is July 5, 2013. *********** Media is one of the most important actors for developing and shaping public opinion in various subjects. Hence, the media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion as regards to EU-Turkey relations and EU acquis. Media Grant Programme aims to increase the professional competencies and qualifications of the media organizations and CSO’s in the field of media and to establish a sustainable dialogue between the media organizations in Turkey and the EU member states.  In this context, grants will be provided for the actors such as Turkish and European CSO's, media organizations, professional organizations in the field of media who will develop project proposals to inform the public and increase awareness about the Turkey-EU relations. Grant projects which will be funded under this grant programme, will create a platform which will enable the actors in the media sector in Turkey will collaborate with their European counterparts. Media organizations and CSOs in the field of Media can apply for this grant programme. The overall amount made available for Media Grant Programme of Civil Society Dialogue between EU and Turkey -III is EUR 3.000.000. Call for proposals for this grant programme was published on May 20, 2013. Deadline for submission of concept notes is July 12, 2013. For Call for Proposals Guidelines and Applications please visit http://www.csdproject.net]]> Thu, 23 May 2013 13:49:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> http://www.csdproject.net/en-us/survey.aspx]]> Thu, 23 May 2013 13:46:00 +0200 <![CDATA[Civil Society: Make Your Voice Heard!]]> The EU is consulting civil society on Guidelines for the support to civil society in the...]]> Read more >]]> 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.
In order to gather the invaluable inputs of a maximum of CSOs of the region and in Turkey in particular, an on-line consultation is now launched. For reaching the Guidelines for the support to civil society in the enlargement region (available only in English at this stage), please click here.  You are invited to devote attention in particular to the indicators and their means of verification. Comments to the guidelines should be sent before 14 June 2013 to: ELARG-CSF-P2P@ec.europa.eu ]]> Thu, 23 May 2013 09:47:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people are still subject to persecution, discrimination and ill-treatment, and often extreme violence. The EU campaigns tirelessly for the respect of human rights, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. We raise the issue of LGBTI rights during our Human Rights dialogues, we speak out through public statements, and we work behind the scenes with our Delegations to argue the case for justice and human rights. Through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the EU supports LGBTI human rights defenders across the world. We welcome United Nations support for the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, in particular the ground-breaking June 2011 resolution 17/19 of the UN Human Rights Council. We encourage continued and strengthened efforts in this area."]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 13:02:00 +0200 <![CDATA[EUROPEAN COMMISSION READY TO SUPPORT THE NEW OMBUDSMAN]]> Brussels (16th May) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle...]]> Read more >]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 11:20:00 +0200 <![CDATA[Copenhagen Accession Criteria: 20 Years that Changed Europe]]> Štefan Füle European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy ''Conference: 20 years...]]> Read more >]]> 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 country that wants to become a member of the European Union. This time twenty years ago was a time of economic and democratic transition for the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. And it was a time of hope for their citizens. Not unlike our current approach in the western Balkans, the clear objective of our enlargement policy was to support the reforms and ensure the advancement of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. This was recognised by the Nobel Committee last year when they announced the peace prize; reminding us that enlargement has been and continues to be a success story for Europe as a whole. The Copenhagen criteria have played a pivotal role in how this policy has been designed and implemented. As it is twenty years since the criteria were formalised, I want to take a closer look at how they have delivered by highlighting three key aspects of the criteria: their conditionality, their impact; and their continued relevance. Let me start with conditionality. In the early nineties, Europe was undergoing dramatic geo-political change. New democracies were emerging on our doorstep. The challenges of transition were immense. With the prospect of the European Union more than doubling its membership, the Copenhagen criteria clearly set out the rules of the game, firmly anchoring conditionality in the accession process. The political criteria required new Member States to ensure stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities. The economic criteria called for the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. Aspiring states would have to be able to take on the full body of European Union rules and regulations. The European Union's ability to absorb new members, while maintaining the momentum of European integration, was also an important consideration. Conditionality as a concept was not new but its formal adoption, here in Copenhagen, armed the accession process with objectivity and predictability. The Copenhagen Criteria served and continue to serve as an objective counterpart of the political commitments, increasing the credibility of the whole policy.
The second key aspect concerns the impact of the criteria. Enlargement is a gradual process, based on solid and sustainable implementation of reforms by the countries concerned. This is where the impact of conditionality driven by the Copenhagen criteria comes into play. The prospect of accession drives political and economic reforms, transforming societies and creating new opportunities for citizens and businesses. It reinforces the European Union's political and economic strengths. The accession of countries in Central and Eastern Europe in 2004 united East and West after decades of artificial separation, contributing to overall stability and security. It also provided concrete, mutual benefits of: -deeper trade integration;
-a larger internal market;
-economies of scale; and
-expanded investment and job opportunities. The current enlargement wave provides further impressive evidence of the transformative power of conditionality combined with a clear European perspective. Less than twenty years ago, the region of the Western Balkans was seen as a place of destruction and despair. Now it is consolidating peace and stability. Croatia, torn by conflict not long ago, is due to join the European Union on 1 July; Membership negotiations have started with Montenegro; Serbia and Kosovo have struck a historic deal which paves the way for them to advance decisively in their European perspectives; And in Turkey the European Union remains a key anchor for democratic modernisation. Allow me to turn to the third key aspect which concerns the relevance of the Copenhagen criteria. The American Constitution is said to have kept its relevance over so many years because of its brevity: it focuses on the essentials while the subsequent amendments keep it up to date with the changing reality and new challenges that America's founding fathers could not obviously foresee. I am glad that the Copenhagen criteria, although much younger, follow the same principle: they set out the essentials. These criteria are as relevant today as they were in 1993. They are governed by Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and central to the renewed enlargement consensus of 2006, which forms the basis of our enlargement policy today. Today, while the conditionality of enlargement remains the same, the way we apply it has evolved based on what we have learnt from past enlargements. We have increased the focus on good governance and the rule of law, including judicial reform, public administration reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime. The new approach to negotiations in the policy areas of judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as justice, freedom and security, is a case in point. Tackling these areas early in the negotiations gives maximum time to enlargement countries to establish the necessary legislation, institutions, and solid track records of implementation before the negotiations are closed. This ensures that reforms are deeply rooted and irreversible, fostering stability and reducing the risks of illegal immigration and infiltration of criminality. To give you an example of how seriously we take this work, let me mention the peer review exercise on chapters 23 and 24 in Montenegro. There have already been nearly 100 meetings on issues such as asylum, migration, border management, the fight against corruption, judicial reform and fundamental rights. This is concrete evidence of the hard work and determination that is maintaining enlargement momentum. Despite lower support for enlargement member states are very credible in their approach to enlargement. If the candidate countries are credible in delivering on membership criteria, the Member States act on it. So, we can talk about "enlargement fatigue" but you will not find any evidence of it in our approach to enlargement. But we should do, instead, something about the reform fatigue. Before concluding I want to say a few words about economic governance. When most people talk of the Copenhagen criteria, they think of the political criteria but we shouldn't forget the importance of addressing the economic criteria early in the process. The European Union is undergoing far-reaching changes to its economic governance and enlargement countries need to be informed, involved and associated as closely as possible to the process. This will help them get sound financial rules and budgets in place before they join. And it ensures that acceding countries will not only be able to fully implement European Union obligations, but also to face future challenges. With our interdependent economies, this will benefit the European Union as a whole. Ladies and gentlemen, The effectiveness of the enlargement process is largely the result of its solid backbone: the Copenhagen criteria. They have stood the test of time and, through improved application, they continue today to provide the framework, guidance and inspiration for our enlargement policy. Thank you for your attention.]]> Thu, 16 May 2013 10:34:00 +0200 <![CDATA[WITH K. KILIÇDAROGLU ON DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKEY-EU RELATIONS]]> Brussels (15th May) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle...]]> Read more >]]> We agreed on the need for the accession negotiations to gain further momentum. Turkey needs to sustain its efforts to meet benchmarks for opening negotiating chapters. I listened carefully to concerns conveyed by Mr Kiliçdaroglu on fundamental rights, and we agreed that Turkey should also press ahead with the engaged political reforms," Commissioner Füle said after the meeting.]]> Thu, 16 May 2013 10:01:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 people of Turkey at this difficult time, and stands ready to help in any way needed.  ]]> Mon, 13 May 2013 11:06:00 +0200 <![CDATA[European Commissioner László Andor to Visit Turkey]]> Mr László Andor, member of the European Commission responsible for employment, social affairs and...]]> Read more >]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 12:11:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> EUROPEAN COUNCIL THE PRESIDENT
Helsinki, 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 to think about what Europe means to us, what we want it to be, where we want it to go. At times like these, when we are searching for the right way forward, it can be good to look back at the road travelled. Winston Churchill famously said, “the farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see”. Our Union is not that old today, only 63, very young compared to most of our countries. But even if we can’t look back that far, there’s much inspiration to be found in those six decades. Since this one-day-in-May when Robert Schuman (he was foreign minister for France at the time) came up with a radical proposal to make war between our nations impossible. In time, this proposal would transform our continent. And when we look at the very recent, historic reconciliation between Serbia and Kosovo, steered by the Union's own Catherine Ashton, we can see that this magic is still at work. But never overnight. Step by step, through concrete achievements: that was always the method. It’s also good to remember these steps, also those to build the market, were always linked to concrete events and historic situations. It was true at the beginning in 1950, with a brilliant idea put forward in the context of the start of the Cold War. An encounter of vision and necessity. It was the same, years later, when your own country joined the endeavour, after the end of the Cold War. Then another acceleration of history set free the space east of the Iron Curtain. In that changed situation, first, your country joined our Union (together with Sweden and Austria of course); and then, a decade later, so did the countries that had been firmly in the Soviet grip. Since the start of the credit crisis in 2008 we live in another such transformative period, globally and in Europe. It is history in the making. The European Union has rarely been as central in public debate as it is today. Debates overshadowed by the financial crisis for sure, but at the same time debates that very much needed to happen. But I firmly believe that we will come out stronger from this experience. We’re learning not to take anything for granted. That we need to work harder to keep what we really care about. Our quality of life, our thriving economies, our position in the world. And that we also need to nurture our strongest assets: the shared freedom, the shared values and the close ties that bring together our countries, our peoples. To me, when the last dark clouds of the crisis will have cleared, and we will be able to look back more serenely at these tumultuous years, one major change will clearly stand out. How in the crisis, our countries will have come to realise the true extent of their interdependence. In a way, the leaders were the first to experience it, and your Prime-Minister can testify to that. Each time we gather around the table of the European Council, with 27 national leaders, the President of the Commission and myself, I perceive better how – notwithstanding all differences and divergences - we all experience this co-responsibility for our common future. And the best proof is in the decisions we take to that effect. And the citizens in all our countries have experienced, too, what it means to be in a Union. Hard truths had to be faced, and it was not always easy or pleasant. It was a moment of discovery, of ‘self-discovery’, of drawing the full consequences of our own earlier decisions (such as to establish a single currency). And we are doing that. Because the crisis made clear: the situation in one country can affect all the others. And we can’t allow that to happen again. That’s why there’s been so much work over the last few years to strengthen our common budgetary and economic rules, to set up better prevention and be able to better detect harmful bubbles and imbalances. The important realisation is that our countries can’t act or solve problems in isolation. We simply can’t ignore the situation of others or the impact our decisions can have on them, because they are our neighbours, our trading partners, our currency companions. It’s not always immediately visible, but we’re closely tied to one another, and we need to acknowledge that better. We mustn’t forget how much we benefit from these ties but also that they come with common duties. We design joint rules, and we owe it to ourselves and to others to abide by what we have agreed. We also set ourselves joint objectives, and there also we owe it to ourselves and to others to live up to these goals. One such goal is to patch the last holes in our common market, because we could benefit so much from doing so. “You don’t fall in love with a market” Jacques Delors used to say, even if it’s the biggest one in the world. But still, the single market is our lifeline. It’s what helped companies like Nokia to make it really big, and it’s still a goldmine of opportunities, especially for your generation. A source of freedom as much as of prosperity. And access-to-it is a much sought-after prize, for our partners in the world, from China to the United States. Acknowledging our ties; respecting the rules we have agreed; pursuing our common goals. That’s what it takes to belong to a Union. One thing it doesn’t imply though is merging into a single identity. It doesn’t mean giving up what makes all our countries special and unique. Rather, it means acknowledging and cherishing the fact that along our other identities –national, local, maybe regional – we also have a European identity. Not ‘instead of’ of course, but ‘on top of’. As Vaclav Havel once said, if we all have our homeland, Europe can be “the homeland of homelands”. Perhaps it is already obvious to your generation. The Erasmus generation. Why, the most famous Finnish Erasmus student is sitting right next to me on this stage! Today, Prime Minister Katainen is the only one at the European Council. But by the time your generation takes over, I expect most leaders around the table will have shared this experience in one way or another. In many respects, you are lucky to belong to a generation with wider horizons than any before. Your awareness of the world goes way beyond your own ‘world’ in which you grew up. Your Europe is and must remain one of openness. A Europe open to change and keen to widen its horizons further. Because in this fast-evolving world, we need to be able to adapt just as fast as the world around us. There are global challenges – emerging economies, an ageing population, technological revolutions, and ALL our countries have to face them. Those up here in the North and those in the South, those in the East and those and the West. So within the Union we must avoid superficial clichés. That of (good) hardworking Northerners en (bad) lazy Southerners, or that of (good) generous Southerners and (bad) selfish Northerners. As a Belgian, a small country with its own North and South, I know all these clichés by heart! For one thing, weak growth or youth unemployment are not the monopoly of the South… Our countries are together by choice, for a reason. Not through fatality but rather to defeat fatality. To build something bigger together, rather than just coexist. To build this, so that we can preserve the quality of life and the wealth of opportunities that our continent can offer. A place where innovation happens every day, and where its benefits are widely shared. Where people live long and healthy lives, in some of the freest, most prosperous, but also most equal and secure societies in the world. It’s definitely worth the effort, and I dearly hope that your generation will take up the effort! Thank you. Click here to watch the President's speech.]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 07:49:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 press is indispensable in any democratic society. The EU is determined to fight for press freedom worldwide and condemns the increasing level of intimidation, violence and censorship that journalists face in many countries. The EU calls on all governments to allow journalists to work in safety and security, and without the fear of censorship or prosecution. Freedom of expression must be defended both in the traditional media and on the Internet. The EU will continue to promote freedom of expression on-line and offline, not least as new information technologies can be key in promoting human rights and democracy. The EU will continue to condemn violations of the right to freedom of expression in all media with a view to ensuring that journalists across the world can discharge their professional duties without hindrance. ]]> Fri, 03 May 2013 11:17:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 which 500 million people have enjoyed a degree of peace, freedom and prosperity never achieved in their past.

  • And all citizens are clearly aware that they have to engage personally in the protection and the promotion of these rights to ensure that, despite the current financial and economic difficulties, they will continue to fully benefit from all of them. Civil Society is thus one of the essential pillars of our Societies and of our collective commitment to democracy.

  • And since we believe that Turkey is all the same committed to the "Copenhagen criteria" - one of the reason of its candidate status - we would like to assist in the promotion of a full-fledged democracy, protective of the rights of all its citizens and allowing them to participate actively in all aspects of public life.

  • In the accession process, the EU seeks therefore - in Turkey like in all other candidate countries - to engage directly with Civil Society and not only with the government and the bureaucracy (Positive Agenda).

  • It doesn't mean that we oppose both. But we are aware of the respective role that elected authorities - at the national and local level -, civil servants and Civil society have to play to make the accession process of Turkey a success. We are convince that without the participation of all of them and without their cooperation, we face the risk of a serious slow down.

    • * * *

  • This is why I am particularly happy to welcome you all today at the EU Delegation, in our EU house where you are always most welcome. I also want to greet those who could not join us here in Ankara and who are following us through the video on the internet! Welcome to you all!

  • Today, the EU and Civil Society in Turkey are embarking on a new journey during which we hope we will, together, build on our common dreams. While recognising the importance of our past cooperation, and its positive achievements, we like to see a new beginning in the start of "Sivil Düşün" the new EU Civil society programme.

  • This process started several years ago, during which the EU tried to MEET, NETWORK, PROMOTE & SUPPORT Civil Society in Turkey. This was done through permanent and direct dialogue between the EU colleagues and various actors of Civil society and also through more traditional projects supporting, throughout the country,  many organisations involved in almost all sectors of activity.

  • But we were convinced that the time had come for a new programme. "Sivil Düşün" has been designed with the input of activists, of volunteers, of CSOs, in other words with your input and together with you. As a result, the new programme is different from anything you have seen before.

  • "Düşün" means "dream" and "think" at the same time.  Therefore, "Sivil Düşün" is a programme that invites you to think and dream. It will be as flexible as possible, in order to allow the beneficiaries to realise activities that were not possible under our past traditional programmes.

  • This is not only the will of the EU in Turkey, but also of our colleagues in Brussels, who are promoting a similar process in all other enlargement countries as well. They supported us much in Turkey and they are here with us today to share this important moment with you and us.

    • * * *

  • So, how is Sivil Düşün different? Is it really a revolution? If I have to define it in one sentence, I would say that "Sivil Düşün" is first and foremost a tool in your hand, that you can use to make your dream come true.

  • You want to take part in a conference on women rights to exchange with other activists from Turkey or other countries (meet)?

  • Your organisation needs a website to support the rights of people with disabilities (support)?

  • You want to share the amazing results you have already achieved in the field of children rights (promote)?

  • You need a strong cooperation with other LGBT CSOs to make your action stronger? (network).

  • "Sivil Düşün" can concretely assist you in realising all of the above, in the short term - by covering immediate small needs - or in the long run, to consolidate partnerships, platforms and networks. Clearly, "Sivil Düşün" is moving away from the traditional project approach. So just go for it, "SİVİL DÜŞÜNÜN"- "THINK CIVIL"! Drive it according to your needs.

  • I will not go myself into the details of how the programme will work. We have with us tonight some great artists who will help us explaining "Sivil Düşün". They will probably surprise you, they may even go border-line, but we hope  this will convince you of our willingness to innovate in our cooperation with you.

  • And if you still want to know more, the "Sivil Düşün" Team, the technical experts and the colleagues in the EU Delegation will always be ready to listen and help.

  • One last word: we count on you to help us promoting The new programme with those who could not be here today. Spread the word, from mouth to ear, but also "tweet" "Sivil Düşün" on twitter, "Like it" on Facebook, "Post it" on Youtube ! "Share" Sivil

  • Once again, thank you for being with us today and now let's enjoy the show!

]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:17:00 +0200 <![CDATA[ADOPTION OF THE 4th JUDICAL PACKAGE ]]> STATEMENT BY COMMİSSİONER ŠTEFAN FÜLE ON THE ADOPTION BY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT OF THE LEGISLATION...]]> Read more >]]> 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 address a number of issues on fundamental rights that were a source of concern over the past years in Turkey. While I understand the focus of the 4th Judicial Reform package is on compliance with European Court of Human Rights rulings, I note with regret the omission of conscientious objection in the package. My understanding is that the outstanding points will be included in the forthcoming Human Rights Action Plan, which I hope will be finalised very soon. The Commission will assess the legislation and its implementation in detail and will properly reflect it in our forthcoming progress report in autumn. I commend the efforts of the Turkish government, in particular of Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, which have made this achievement possible.’ ]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 Spring. Security, environment and boosting cooperation between both shores of the Mediterranean were also on the agenda. EP president Martin Schulz participated in the plenary session. "Governments do not do enough for the Mediterranean to become an area of cooperation," he said in his opening speech. "It is our role as members of parliaments to force governments to make good on their pledges towards the Union for the Mediterranean." Mr Schulz also attended the summit of the Union's parliament speakers in Marseilles on 6-7 April. After this summit, he said: "Euro-Mediterranean cooperation will be among parliaments and citizens, or it will be nothing. It needs a renewed partnership among strong and transparent parliaments."
]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:33:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 integration process. The specific focus of the Sivil Düşün EU Programme is to improve the environment for active citizenship and to strengthen the capacity of organised active citizens in the country. Sivil Düşün is a long term programme with different support mechanisms, targeting activists, civil society organisations, networks and platforms. To achieve these objectives, Sivil Düşün comprises a grant scheme to support networks and platforms, micro-sub grants (financial support to third parties) and direct support to activists. For more information on the Sivil Düşün EU Programme please visit www.sivildusun.eu.
 
The total budget of the 2013 Call for Proposals is 1.75 Million Euros divided into two specific objectives:
  1. Specific objective 1: to contribute to the strengthening of capacities of existing or new national, regional (in the sense of regions within Turkey), local and/or thematic platforms and networks of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes through their activities.
  2. Specific objective 2: to strengthen CSOs in order to enhance civic participation at local and national levels through distribution of micro sub-grants (financial support to third parties) to rights-based CSOs.
It is an open call for proposals. Therefore both concept notes and full application forms should be submitted for evaluation by 17 June 2013. For further information on this Call for Proposals and the application forms please click here. For Turkish translation please click here. Think Civil Call for Proposals, Guidelines for applicants (in Turkish)]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:06:00 +0200 <![CDATA[EU-Turkey: With Ministers Bağış and Çelik about Social Policy and Employment]]> European Commission MEMO Brussels, 10 April 2013 Brussels (10th April) - Commissioner for...]]> Read more >]]> 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 Security Faruk Çelik in Brussels today. The meeting took place in the framework of the Positive agenda and is part of the overall efforts to put the accession negotiations with Turkey back on track. They discussed the progress in the accession process and also the support Turkey is providing to Syrian refugees. In discussing the progress of Turkey in the accession process, Commissioners Füle and Andor focused in particular on the area of social policy and employment. They welcomed progress made as regards trade union rights for both the public and the private sector with the adoption of two laws in 2012 by the Turkish Parliament. It was agreed that the European Commission and Turkey would continue to work in close cooperation on further alignment of the Turkish legal framework with EU standards and the opening benchmarks  for Chapter 19 (Social Policy and Employment) of the accession negotiations. The Commission welcomed as a good step the declaration made on these issues today by Ministers Bağış and Çelik with the social partners, who were also present at the joint meeting with the Commissioners. In the context of the Syrian crisis Commissioner Füle recalled the Commission's commitment to assist Turkey in its efforts using also the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA). The European Commission announced the intention to allocate around €10 million for an IPA joint operation with UNHCR expected to start in the coming months. These funds will mainly benefit Syrian refugees who are not living in tent or container camps established by the Turkish government but in areas outside the camps. This action is being developed in coordination with the national institutions concerned, international NGOs functioning in Turkey and other UN agencies.]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:11:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> Contacts: Michele Cercone +32 498 982 349 - +32 2 298 09 63 - Michele.Cercone@ec.europa.eu
Peter Stano +32 460/757 484 - +32 2 295 74 84 - Peter.Stano@ec.europa.eu
Tove Ernst - +32 2 298 67 64 - Tove.Ernst@ec.europa.eu
Anca Paduraru +32 498/966 430 - +32 2 296 64 30 - Anca.Paduraru@ec.europa.eu
Official information of the European Commission is available at any time at:
Les informations officielles de la Commission européenne sont accessibles à tout moment sur:
http://europa.eu/rapid/ If you no longer wish to receive esPRESSos, please send an e-mail to:
Si vous souhaitez ne plus recevoir les esPRESSos, envoyez un courriel à:
comm-espresso-unsubscribe@ec.europa.eu European Commission - Spokespersons' Service - adress: B-1049 - Brussels - Belgium:
Commission européenne - Service des Porte-parole - adress: B-1049 - Bruxelles - Belgique:
Tel: +32 2 299 11 11 ]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:58:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 legislation ( Regulation No 810/2009 Visa Code ) on issuing short-stay visas for travel in the Schengen area (the ‘Visa Code’) has now been in force for three years. Now the Commission wants to assess whether the legislation has achieved its objectives. Building on this evaluation, the Commission plans to propose amendments to revise the Visa Code and to further develop and modernise the common visa policy. Among the aims of this review are to ensure that EU visa policy fosters economic growth and cultural exchange by facilitating the process for legitimate travellers to the EU, such as business people, tourists, students and young people, while ensuring a high level of security for the EU. That is why the Commission wants to hear from the main ‘users’ of the common visa policy: individuals, interest groups, advocacy groups and professional organisations. We want to hear from as broad a range of users as possible, as it is important to get views and input from all stakeholders.
  • Individuals: Tell us about your experience by replying to our questionnaire. You do not need to answer all of the questions. However, for your response to be taken into account, all questions under ‘Your Profile’ need to be answered. If you have any concerns regarding data protection matters, please consult the Privacy Statement.
  • Organisations: Send written contributions on the issues covered in the questionnaire or on any other issue linked to the implementation of the Visa Code. Organisations are also invited to encourage individual members to reply to the questionnaire. Please send your contributions to: Home-Consultation-C2@ec.europa.eu
Important note: The Visa Code and the common visa policy cover only short stay visas (‘Schengen visas’ for stays of 90 days/180 days) and are applied by 22 EU Member States (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden) and four associated states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). This consultation only concerns issues related to Schengen short stay visas. It does not apply to issues concerning long stay visas or residence permits. If you have any questions about this consultation, please feel free to e-mail us at: Home-Consultation-C2@ec.europa.eu. Disclaimer: Please note that this consultation is intended to gather information and suggestions, and does not prejudge the final form of any decision the European Commission may take. Please read the privacy statement. Open Consultation: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-is-new/public-consultation/2013/consulting_0025_en.htm ]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:48:00 +0200 <![CDATA[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...]]> Read more >]]> 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 the world and whenever we do we have a great deal to discuss - today is no exception. And like you I apologise to the press that we kept you waiting. It's because the quality of our discussions is extremely high and the amount of information we wish to share is very large.
This, for me as the representative for foreign policy of the European Union, is a demonstration of the vital importance of Turkey and of our work across the world and especially across the region. You have rightly described our discussions on bilateral issues. These are of enormous importance and I am both the conveyor and carrier of messages to and from my colleagues in the European Commission and of course of the different Councils who take specific interest in the issues of the day. As you know, I'm committed to seeing Turkey progress in its relationship with the European Union. We also talked about our neighbourhood a great deal - our neighbourhood in terms of the South and of course the East. I was able to the debrief you on the dialogue for normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo that ended last night very late and I now wait to see with what Pristina and Belgrade will come back to me having had a little time, which they do need, to be able to consider the proposals before them. I'm very grateful for the support that you have always shown for the work that we do, not just in the dialogue but in all of our work in the Western Balkans. Inevitably our focus was on what’s happening in Syria, our concern for the refugees who are coming into countries, not least into Turkey, and I want to pay tribute to the efforts that Turkey has made to look after people in real distress, people whose lives have been shattered changed forever and who look to you for support and help. I reaffirm the commitment of the European Union to work with you to try and offer as much support as we possibly can. We talked too about the challenges we face for the future and the challenges we face in the present - how best to find the political solution that we all know we have to find in the end and how best to support the people of Syria into that future. It is absolutely right to recognise the role Turkey has played, and the important and vital role that you’ve played in the region. And as you said, Minister Davutoğlu, we also talked more broadly about my discussions with Iran which will take place in the next couple of days in Kazakhstan. I look forward to what I hope will be a successful meeting in Almaty and I really do hope that Iran will now carefully consider the proposal we put on the table and respond to it. From Kazakhstan I will go on to Eygpt, where I will be continuing with the messages that you and I have also discussed about the need to ensure that there is a better and growing economy in Eygpt, but also that there are political challenges that need to be addressed. Thank you ]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:44:00 +0200