Comunicate

Brussels, 24 March 2025

In light of recent developments in Türkiye, the Bureau of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee concluded that the current circumstances are not conducive to holding the 82nd meeting of the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee at this time and unanimously decided to postpone the meeting.

Statement by the Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee,

MEP Dr. Sergey Lagodinsky,

on the conclusion of his mandate as Delegation Chair

Brussels, 29 July 2024 - "As my tenure as Chair of the European Parliament's delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee concludes, I want to express my deep gratitude to my colleagues in the European Parliament, European institutions, and member states, and especially to our partners in Türkiye for their sincere cooperation and support over the past five years.

During this time, we have been able to reinstate a cooperative mode between the two parliaments and, through our work, reiterated the importance of dialogue between the EU and Türkiye, particularly in view of Türkiye's EU candidate status. Together, we continued to search for common solutions to shared challenges but were also able to honestly raise mutual criticisms and develop strategies for the improvement of respective policies on the rule of law and democracy, economic growth, security and defense, and energy and food security. Many of those discussions were especially relevant in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Reflecting on the past five years, I am proud of the progress we have made, even amidst complex and partly strained relations. The commitment to constructive dialogue and mutual respect has been vital in laying a strong foundation for our ongoing collaboration. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has been pivotal in advocating for enhanced and constructive dialogue to foster EU-Türkiye relations, and I am confident that this work will continue to flourish.

I remain committed to the vision of a democratic and peaceful Türkiye as part of the European Union, based on fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. The current political climate in Türkiye raises significant concerns regarding these principles. Without significant changes in the domestic and foreign policies of Ankara, and also without a change in the perspective of many member states, such a vision will remain unattainable. We all need to continue working on improvements on both sides. I hope this work will continue in a constructive manner beyond my tenure as Chair.

Concluding my mandate as Chair of the delegation, I would like to once again reiterate the importance of enhancing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Türkiye relations, which should be built independent from the contacts or willingness of governmental officials or EU Commissioners to participate in the meetings. Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue is not a backroom for intergovernmental cooperation, but an asset in itself. Striving to hold JPC meetings on a more regular basis is something that I would wish us all for the future.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Deputy İsmail Emrah Karayel, my co-chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee in Türkiye, for his constructive collaboration and sincere partnership. My appreciation also goes to MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Türkiye, for his invaluable cooperation and dedication.

I also would like to sincerely thank Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Türkiye to the European Union Faruk Kaymakcı on the Turkish side, as well as former EU Ambassador to Türkiye Christian Berger and outgoing EU Ambassador to Türkiye Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut for their support and cooperation. Additionally, I would like to thank the staff involved on all sides. Your collective efforts have been instrumental in advancing our shared goals.

My deep admiration and heartfelt thanks go to the civil society actors in Türkiye who tirelessly stand up for democratic rights and fundamental freedoms, even when facing intimidation and persecution. Your courage and commitment are truly inspiring. I will continue to stand in solidarity with all political prisoners, including Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş, and demand their unconditional release. My deepest sympathy is with the families of both. Their release is what the European Court of Human Rights has been demanding and so do we as the European Parliament. I also express my profound gratitude to the civil society organizations in both Türkiye and the EU for their relentless efforts and perseverance in fostering EU-Türkiye relations and standing up for justice and democracy. Your work is vital to our shared goals, and I thank you for your enduring commitment.

It has been a profound privilege to serve in this role, and I look forward to witnessing the continued progress and success of the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Together, we have laid a robust groundwork for continued collaboration and mutual advancement. Thank you once again for your dedication and partnership".

Statement by the Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee,

MEP Emmanouil Kefalogiannis,

Strasbourg, 22 January 2025 - The ravaging fire that broke out in the early hours of Tuesday in the Grand Kartal Hotel in Türkiye claimed at least 76 lives. The witness accounts are heart-rending. My thoughts are with the victims, the suffering and agony of their loved ones and the survivors, whom I wish a speedy recovery.