This report financed by the EU and prepared by Sema ÇAPANOĞLU, Çisel İLERİ, M. Gökhan KİLİT Mehmet POYRAZLI, Deniz SERVANTİE and Yeliz ŞAHİN from the Economic development Foundation can be found at the following site :
http://www.ikv.org.tr/images/files/IKV%20Yayin_AB%20Programlari.pdf
İnsan Hakları Gününün kutlandığı 10 Aralık’ta İstanbul’da gerçekleştirilen bombalı saldırıyabazı ülke ve kuruluşlarının gösterdiği tepki güzel bir dayanışma örneği oluşturuyor. Aynı gün Mısır’da bir kilisenin bombalanması artık terörün her yerde her zaman sınır tanımaksızın yıkımlara yer açtığının örneği.
Azerbaijan – President Ilham Aliyev decried the attack and urged for “a resolute fight against any kind of terrorism”.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Chairman of the Presidency, Mladen Ivanić says “Terrorism and extremism are threats to global security without borders, so it is essential to fight jointly against this threat,” in a letter to President Erdogan.
Canada – On his Twitter account, Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion strongly condemned the attack by saying “Our thoughts are with victims and families and the people of Turkey.”
Czech Republic – During a visit to Turkey on 13 December, Czech FM Lubomír Zaorálek condemned the attack and the PKK, and received gratitude from Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu for his statements, recognition of PKK as a terrorist organization, closing of YPG office in Prague, and statement of EP Czech member Tomáš Zdechovský which calls for “no tolerance for IS and PKK” and a “propaganda-ban” on PKK.[30]
Egypt – Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeyd expressed solidarity with Turkish people by saying “Egypt strongly condemns the attacks in Istanbul and reiterates its stance against terrorism that threatens international peace and security.”
France – French President François Hollande denounced the blasts, showing his support to Turkey.
Germany – Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the attack and said Germany was mourning with Turkey. German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her condolences to President Erdogan during a phone call.
Hungary – Hungarian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tamas Menczer said the attack was committed against the European Union as well, saying, “The security of Europe starts with Turkey’s stability.”
India – The Foreign Ministry also condemned the terror attack by saying “Terrorism is wholly unacceptable, whatever the type and declaration. The shameful attack in Istanbul underscores the need for the world community to find a common solution to the scourge of terrorism.” in a statement.
Kazakhstan – President Nursultan Nazarbayev condemned the attack.
Georgia – Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili expressed condolences to the families of the victims and added they were ready to show support in Turkey’s fight against the terrorism.
Greece – The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Greece “stands with all its friends and neighbours during their difficult time.” Prime Minister Alexis Tsiprasexpressed his condolences over the terror attack in Istanbul to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim during a phone call.
Lithuania – President Dalia Grybauskaite expressed her condolences in a message she sent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Malaysia – Malaysian government also strongly condemned the attack, calling it “inhumane” in a statement issued by the country’s Foreign Ministry.
Northern Cyprus – Northern Cyprus joined Turkey in declaring a day of national mourning.[31]
Pakistan – President Mamnoon Hussain also condemned the blasts saying the terrorist attacks cannot shake the resolve of Turkish people and the government in their war against terrorism. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow strongly condemning the attack.
Portugal – President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa conveyed a condolence message to President Erdogan.
Romania – Romanian Defense Minister Mihnea Motoc “strongly condemned” the terror attack in Istanbul, saying, “had no excuse and could not reach its aims.”
Russia – President Vladimir Putin also expressed condolences for those who lost their lives, condemning “this cowardly, cynical crime”.
Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack by describing it as “unacceptable”.
Singapore – The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack and expressed condolences.
Spain – Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy condemned the attack and said on his Twitter account that “Solidarity against barbarism and terror. We would like to send our sincere solidarity and support messages to Turkish authorities in these difficult times.”
Sweden – Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom condemned the attack in her Twitter account and expressed her condolences for the victims.
Ukraine – President Petro Poroshenko strongly condemned the terror attack in Istanbul, saying, “there cannot be a justification for it” on his Twitter account.
United Kingdom – Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the “U.K. was committed to working with Turkey to tackle terrorism,” adding that his thoughts were with all those affected.
United States – “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and loved ones, and to all the people of Turkey. We stand together with Turkey, our NATO Ally, against all terrorists who threaten Turkey, the United States, and global peace and stability.” US National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. In a separate statement, U.S. Defense chief Ash Carter said that Saturday’s attacks “only redoubles our resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish allies in condemning these attacks and relentlessly combatting terrorism.”Kaynak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2016_Istanbul_bombings
European Union – “My thoughts & solidarity with Turkish citizens, with families of victims of Istanbul attacks. I wish speedy and full recovery to the injured,” the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz posted on social media. In a separate statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini posted on her Twitter account saying “All our solidarity to all citizens of Turkey.”
NATO – Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack, calling it “horrific acts of terror.” He stressed that NATO stood united in solidarity with its ally Turkey. “We remain determined to fight terrorism in all its forms,” he added.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – OIC Secretary General, Yusuf Ahmed Al-Othaimeen offered “his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of Turkey” and wished early recovery to the injured people.
United Nations – Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims by hoping that the perpetrators of this terrorist act will be swiftly identified and brought to justice.Stand up for someone’s rights today!
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.
This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights! Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack.
We must reaffirm our common humanity. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. In the street, in school, at work, in public transport; in the voting booth, on social media.
The time for this is now. “We the peoples” can take a stand for rights. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity.
It starts with each of us. Step forward and defend the rights of a refugee or migrant, a person with disabilities, an LGBT person, a woman, a child, indigenous peoples, a minority group, or anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.
Source : http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/
The Commission is today reporting on progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement and on the EU’s relocation and resettlement schemes.
The Commission also adopted a fourth Recommendation today that takes stock of the progress achieved by Greece to put in place a fully functioning asylum system and sets out a process for the gradual resumption of Dublin transfers to Greece.
European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “Our comprehensive European approach on migration is showing positive results. We can see this in the continued implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement and the dramatic decrease in the number of irregular migrants arriving in Greece. We also see it in the progress made by the Greek authorities in rectifying deficiencies in the country’s asylum system, which has allowed us to recommend the gradual resumption of Dublin transfers to Greece as of 15 March 2017. This will provide further disincentives against irregular entry and secondary movements, and is an important step for the return to a normally functionally Dublin and Schengen system.”
Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “Both Italy and Greece have made herculean efforts in recent months in managing the refugee crisis. The fact that today we close the infringement cases on the fingerprinting and registration of migrants is proof of that. This November was a record month for relocation with over 1,400 persons transferred, and Member States must build on this progress by further intensifying and sustaining their efforts. Our aim is to relocate all those in Italy and Greece who are eligible for relocation within the next year. These efforts, together with a lasting reduction in arrivals from Turkey thanks to the EU-Turkey Statement, are necessary building blocks for a gradual return to the Dublin system for Greece.”
Steady progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement
The implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement has confirmed the trend of a steady delivery of results, albeit in the face of many challenges. Numbers of irregular crossings of the Aegean during the reporting period remained dramatically lower than before the EU-Turkey Statement. Since March, arrivals have averaged 90 per day, compared to 10,000 in a single day in October last year. Return operations have continued to be carried out with an additional 170 persons returned since the Third Report, bringing the total number of persons returned under the Statement or the Greece-Turkey bilateral readmission protocol to 1,187. However, important shortfalls remain, notably as regards the still too slow pace of returns from Greece to Turkey which has led to additional pressure on the Greek islands. The situation deserves not only careful monitoring but, more importantly, additional efforts to help improve the situation on the Greek islands. It is therefore essential that sufficient resources are provided to ensure the effective processing of asylum applications and that Member States respond in full to calls from the European Asylum Support Office. To ensure full implementation of EU actions under the EU-Turkey Statement and to alleviate the pressure on the islands, the EU Coordinator Maarten Verwey has today published a Joint Action Plan elaborated with the Greek authorities.
As regards the implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Roadmap, seven benchmarks remain to be met by Turkey. The Commission encourages Turkey’s efforts to complete the delivery of all outstanding benchmarks as soon as possible. The Commission and Turkey have continued their dialogue to find solutions, including on the legislative and procedural changes needed to meet the outstanding benchmarks.
The Commission has continued to accelerate the delivery of funding under the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, having already allocated a total of €2.2 billion out of the €3 billion foreseen for 2016-2017 to address the most urgent needs of refugees and host communities in Turkey. The amounts contracted have increased to €1.3 billion. The Commission is making all necessary efforts to ensure an acceleration of disbursements under the Facility, the sum of which has now reached €677 million.
Dublin transfers to Greece to be gradually resumed
Today, the Commission adopted its Fourth Recommendation on the resumption of Dublin transfers to Greece as a step towards a normal functioning of the rules of the Dublin system. The Commission finds that Greece has made significant progress in putting in place the essential institutional and legal structures for a properly functioning asylum system. However, the resumption has to take account of the fact that Greece is still facing high migratory pressure and that deficiencies in the Greek asylum system remain, in particular as regards reception conditions, the treatment of vulnerable applicants and the speed with which asylum applications are registered, lodged and examined.
The Commission therefore recommends that transfers to Greece should be resumed gradually, on the basis of individual assurances from the Greek authorities for each returnee, guaranteeing they will be received in dignity. In order to avoid that an unsustainable burden is placed on Greece, the resumption of transfers will not be applied retroactively and will only concern asylum applicants who have entered Greece irregularly from 15 March 2017 onwards or for whom Greece is responsible from 15 March 2017 under other Dublin criteria. To support the efforts of Greece, the Commission calls on all Member States to fully comply with their relocation obligations and to ensure sufficient deployment of asylum experts to Greece.
Applicants should only be transferred if the Greek authorities give individual assurances in each case that the applicant will be treated in accordance with EU law. Vulnerable asylum applicants, including unaccompanied minors, should not be transferred to Greece for the time being. An EASO team of experts from Member States should be set up to support the cooperation between Member States and to report on whether the persons transferred back to Greece are treated in accordance with the assurances provided by the Greek authorities. The Commission will regularly report on the progress made in the implementation of the Recommendation and update its recommendations if necessary.
Progress on relocation and resettlement
November saw 1,406 relocations, the highest monthly number so far, confirming a continuous positive trend, with relocation from Greece stabilising around 1,000 per month and relocation from Italy having increased significantly. In total, 8,162 persons have been relocated so far,6,212 from Greece and 1,950 from Italy.
The Commission considers that it should now be feasible to transfer all eligible relocation applicants in Greece and Italy to other Member States by September 2017. To achieve this goal, Member States should from now on carry out at least 2,000 relocations per month from Greece and 1,000 from Italy. As of April 2017, the monthly number of relocations from Greece should be at least 3,000 and from Italy 1,500.
The Commission has continued to work closely with the Greek and Italian authorities as well as Member States to remove obstacles to speedier relocation on the ground. Today, the Commission decided to close infringement procedures against Italy and Greece for non-implementation of the Eurodac regulation because in both Member States, there is now a fingerprinting rate of close to 100% of third-country nationals liable to be fingerprinted who entered the EU irregularly at their external borders.
Member States have also continued to increase their efforts on resettlement – offering legal and safe pathways to 13,887 people so far out of the 22,504 agreed under the July 2015 scheme. Since the previous report a record monthly number of 2,035 people have been resettled mainly from Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. An additional 544 Syrian refugees have been resettled from Turkey, bringing the total number of resettlements from Turkey under the EU-Turkey Statement to 2,761.
The Ministry for EU Affairs, with the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik, will hold three different conferences in Brussels on 29 Tuesday November, with the participation of academicians, media and business world from Turkey and Belgium titled “TURKEY-EU AND CIVIL SOCIETY MEETINGS”.
Representatives from civil society from Turkey and Belgium will come together to exchange views by assessing the Turkey-EU relations in the current context. The ideas and recommendations shared in these series of meetings are aimed to provide guidance for the Turkey-EU common future.
The meeting of representatives from the business world, academicians and members of the media, who are important stakeholders in the EU Communication Strategy (EUCS), will continue in other EU capital cities following the meetings in Brussels.
The programme of the meeting is provided below.
“TURKEY-EU AND CIVIL SOCIETY MEETINGS”
BRUSSELS, 29 NOVEMBER 2016
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
10.30-13.00
Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik will attend the opening of a working breakfast with the members of the Turkish media and their Belgian counterparts, Brussels
13.00-16.00
Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik will attend the opening of a working luncheon with Turkish academicians and their Belgian counterparts, Brussels
19.00-21.30
Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik will attend the opening of a working dinner with Turkish businessmen and their Belgian counterparts, Brussels
The EP’s decision for a temporary freeze in accession talks of Turkey is a sad event. This temporary resolution was based on deteriorating human rights and democratic standards, talks about readopting the death penalty and hints about the Lozan treaty. It should be pointed out that the EP has not asked the European Commission and EU member states to approve and follow this decision. Though the vote is largely symbolic it demonstrates a slide in the relations with the EU. Public opinion in the EU, as reflected in the media and in various meetings which are being held, seem to share the EP’s views about Turkey.
In these difficult times for Turkey the support of the EU is of great importance. All channels of communication should be kept open. Continuation of accession talks and the opening of chapters 23 and 24 of the acquis are of utmost importance
The Reasons why the nominee should receive the Woman in Power award can be resumed as follows: Zeynep Bodur Okyay is not only an influential business person steering national and international operations and investments in a heavily male-dominated sector, but she is also a keen follower of global trends, firm believer in ethical leadership and an active member of various global and regional industry and civil networks.
She believes, commits and invests for a better world that is more prosperous, more sustainable and more inclusive. She is a change-maker, strong believer in social good, a civil society advocate, promoting the transformative power of civil society. She is reknown for her significant contributions in flagship projects for achieving gender equality in Turkey, specifically focusing on increasing the number of women in the industry. She asserts “It is impossible to design and achieve a success story by keeping 21 million women at home, excluded from the workforce in a population of 78 million.” She argues the keys to success for Turkey are two-fold: producing value-added high technology products and increasing women’s participation in business.
She works endlessly with passion and grit to prepare Turkey and women of Turkey for the future. As a visionary leader, she strives to ensure Turkey jumps on the bandwagon of the Fourth Industrial Revolution at just the right time since it also offers a golden opportunity to bridge the gender gap. She is a firm believer in European values. She values social consensus and cooperation between stakeholders. She believes in multi-stakeholder engagement consisting of government, private sector, academia, and civil society to achieve the common objective of increasing national, social, and economic welfare. Possessing deep knowledge about the EU acquis and European best practices, she excels in adopting and disseminating European standards, transferring know-how to address local needs and elevating local and national standards through meaningful investments in economic development and social capital.
She serves as the first female Assembly President of Istanbul Chamber of Industry and the Vice President of the Union of Chamber and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, the Women Entrepreneurs Council, through which she works actively to increase the representation of women on company boards, and takes immediate action to encourage STEM in the education system, providing access to financing, and promoting more active roles for women in the supply chain.
In 2015, Mrs. Okyay assumed the Presidency of the Steering Committee of the C20 (Civil 20), an official engagement group of G20 during the Turkish Presidency of the G20. Working together with civil society representatives from all around the world including several grassroots women organisations, she has led the international civil society, raised awareness and provided input at the highest level to Turkey’s pledge to continue to develop and monitor the implementation economic policies that empower women and increase women’s participation in the economy beyond 2015.
Most recently, for the first time, she made it into the list of 30 most influential business people of Turkey by Capital and took her place as the fifth business women in that list. She was awarded for her stable and strong leadership, and her prominent and strong commitment in civil society.
Turkey-EU High Level Political Dialogue Meeting was held on 9 September 2016 in Ankara with the participation of Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn.
The current state of play in Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, migration crisis, visa liberalisation dialogue and cooperation in the areas of economy, energy and trade were discussed. Both sides exchanged views on regional and international issues.
High Level Political Dialogue Meeting confirmed the mutual engagement to common values which form the basis of Turkey-EU togetherness as well as their mutual commitments.
Source: http://www.ab.gov.tr/index.php?p=50426&l=2
The terrible attack which took place at Istanbul airport resembles very much what happened in Brussels’ and in Istanbul in April and March respectively. To halt such attacks the world needs to take a stronger stance in response to terrorism. We as the European Movement Turkey agree with the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon who has declared that more extensive cooperation was necessary to combat such activities and that the perpetrators of these crimes should be identified and brought to justice.
The assault which bears the ISIS marks took place a day after the announcement of an agreement between Israel and Turkey, which aimed at reestablishing relations which had been stagnant for the past six years, at a time when Turkey’s relations with Russia were smoothing down.
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