Turkish MP advisers visit Brussels and Berlin

Ten advisers of members of the Turkish Parliament visited Brussels and Berlin in order to be informed about Turkish-EU relations, the assessment of Turkish EU politics from a European point of view and the status quo of Turkish chances to enter the European Union.

Welcoming meeting in FNF Brussels's office

The participants had been well selected among another 40 candidates; all of them had attended a one week preparation seminar organized by FNF Turkey. Starting the trip in Brussels, the Turkish guests were heartily welcomed by Dr. Jürgen D. Wickert, Director of the Division of the International Political Dialogue of the Foundation. Dr. Wickert gave a brief overview about FNF’s activities in Brussels and highlightened the importance of Turkey as a candidate of the European Union.

Meeting with Bulgarian EU Attaché Ventsislava Atchova

Meeting with Murat Seyrek, ARI-representative in Brussels and one of FNF Turkey main partners, the advisers learned that many controversies and problems between EU and Turkey were based on a mutual lack of information about the different issues and that Turkish institutions or NGOs were only rarely represented in Brussels compared to other countries. In the following meeting Ventsislava Atchova, the Bulgarian Attaché to the European Union, reported impressively, how important effective lobbying of national interests had been for the positive development regarding the promotion of Bulgarian membership in the EU.

On the second day in Belgium’s capital, the participants had the great opportunity of discussing with members of the European Parliament, Andrew Duff and Emma Nicholson, about Turkish chances to join the European Union. The greatest obstacles or at least points of discussion due to the MPs were the freedom of religion and opinion, the Cyprus issue, and Human Rights problems especially dealing with ethnic minorities. Both MPs clearly pointed out that the Copenhagen Agreement is looked upon as a treaty the criteria of which Turkey has to fulfill in order to join EU.

Moving from Brussels to Berlin, the advisers had the chance to learn about the different views of the political parties in Germany. The meetings and discussions with MPs from all parties were sometimes emotional and very vivid, as often it was difficult for the participants to understand and to follow the more or less slight or big differences between the position of the individual parties and the official position of Germany as an EU member towards Turkish EU membership. Nevertheless also the German MPs stressed that the fulfillment of the Copenhagen agreement is a nonnegotiable precondition for Turkish access to the European Union.

Added value to the visit was given by the appointments in the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defense. Both of the lecturers pointed out that freedom, democratic structures, and especially the political control of the military have to be achieved, before Turkey’s access could be approved. Both lecturers complimented Turkey on the progress and reforms since the negotiations had been started, accentuating that the negotiations were seen as a process at the end of which all actors would be happy if Turkey fulfilled the criteria and becomes a member of EU.

Meeting with FNF Chairman Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt MP

The highlights of the trip to Europe were scheduled for the last day. Meeting representatives of the Turkish Embassy in Berlin, the participants were informed about the official Turkish view of both the negotiation process of EU accession and the challenges and problems the more than 3 million Turkish citizens living in Germany were facing. The presentation was followed by a lively and open discussion. The closing session of the program was held by FNF Chairman Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt MP. The participants had the chance to reflect all their impression on their trip to Europe and discussion with Dr. Gerhardt potential follow up actions to be taken to improve both the mutual understanding between Turkey and EU and to foster the positive developments towards Turkey’s way to the EU.


Jörg Dehnert
Resident Representative Turkey