Turkey - News
22/02/2012
Twelve years after granting candidate status and six years after the start of accession negotiations, EU-Turkey relations are today at a virtual standstill. It is in the interest of Turkey and the EU that this process is reinvigorated. The goal is Turkish membership in the European Union. Accession must be an open-ended process with conditions, yes, but not with political vetoes. The European Socialist family is the political family most committed to EU integration and the enlargement process. Therefore the PES believes that it is crucial to launch a new EU-Turkey Agenda.
31/01/2012
Actions taken by the authorities and targeting the Union of Kurdistan Communities (KCK) continue with pace in Turkey. Since April 2009, the security forces have arrested thousands on the grounds of alleged membership to the organisation, including elected politicians, trade unionists and representatives of social movements in favour of reforms in the field of freedom of expression and minority rights. Among them there are members of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), the PES member party.
30/01/2012
Meeting in Brussels ahead of the PES Prime Ministers’ meeting, PES President Sergei Stanishev and Cyprus President Demetris Christofias discussed a number of issues of relevance including the upcoming EU presidency, the financial crisis, the progressive plan for growth and jobs and the island’s peace talks.
25/01/2012
Today the PES Secretary General Philip Cordery met with Deputy Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Mr. Faruk Loğoğlu. During the meeting the current political situation and struggles in Turkey were discussed. The PES is concerned about the continuing repressions of freedom of speech and assembly in Turkey. This ominous situation has recently escalated with the case against CHP leader Mr. Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The PES criticizes the politically motivated actions of the State Prosecutor in this case.
23/01/2012
Following the recent launch of a probe into Mr Kemal Kilicdaroglu by the Turkish judiciary, there is growing concern regarding the impartiality of the Turkish judiciary. The Turkish public prosecutor has requested that Mr Kilicdaroglu waive his right to parliamentary immunity so that charges can be brought against him for 'attempting to influence a fair trial' and 'insulting public servants on duty’.
26/11/2011
Tells media not to look for divisions that don’t exist
26/11/2011
“What is happening in Tunisia is an example for the Middle East and the entire world”. This was the beginning of the speech given by Khelil Ezzaouia (Ettakatol - FDTL Tunisia) during the third plenary of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Progressive Convention. The plenary, titled “A just world”, explored issues such as migrant rights, decent work and the European response and responsibility in the Arab spring revolutions that have spread across the Middle East and North Africa.
17/10/2011
The Party of European Socialists (PES) voiced its concern on the latest actions taken by the Turkish authorities targeting the Union of Kurdistan Communities (KCK). Since April 2009, the security forces have arrested more than 1,500 suspects on the grounds of alleged membership to the organisation. A recent trial names 151 suspects, including elected politicians, trade unionists and representatives of social movements in favour of reforms for freedom of expression and minority rights. Among them there are members of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), the PES member party.
11/10/2011
The Party of European Socialists (PES) calls on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of all European Union (EU) Member States, including those of Cyprus. Recently, Ankara has challenged the Cypriot government’s decision to pursue an oil exploration within its exclusive economic zone, further complicating the difficult relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The European dimension of this situation is magnified as the Republic of Cyprus will take over the rotating EU presidency in July 2012.
03/07/2011
The Turkish Supreme Electoral Board decided on June 21th to take away the mandate of Hatip Dicle in the Turkey Great National Assembly. The board determined that he could not hold office while being imprisoned, whereas before he was allowed to be a candidate. Hatip Dicle is not the only candidate elected who was removed from his mandate during the last weeks. A series of judicial decisions barred eight others from attending parliament because they were in prison. BDP and CHP opposition parties argue that the jailed MPs are entitled to parliamentary immunity because they are still on trial and have not been convicted. The CHP won 135 seats and BDP 36 seats in the 550-seat parliament.