Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the meeting, Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European neighborhood policy, Stefan Füle statedthat the term “Arab Spring” may be too inclusive a term, and may be unable to be applied to different situations occurring in the region. Stating that despite this, similarities and common points do exist in the movements in the region, basic rights and demands for respect for freedom, human rights and better living conditions are among those, Füle said.

Füle said that in this period of transition, supporting leaders who want to make reforms would be beneficent for the EU.

Having published two notices in this term as reassessments of “Democracy and Shared Development Partnership” and “European Neighborhood Policy”, Füle stated that the EU has decided to support demands for more focus on universal rights of the local societies in the region.

Stating that “social dialogue can easily become window dressing”, Füle said that this situation would have serious implications for true reforms and the democratic process.

Stating that for dialogue to be effective, civil society organizations need to be able to express themselves, Füle said and expressed how he was with the activities of the Economic and Social Council and Similar Institutions.

When focusing on movements in the region, the EU approaches its partners in a tri-part manner, “money, market and movement opportunity”, Füle stated that the EU will provide 1.2 billion Euros throughout 2011-2013 in support.

Füle said that they have set aside 350 million Euros for Support to Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth (SPRING).

- “It is not the EU’s job to start revolutions”

Füle also answered the demands and criticism regarding those made by the representatives of the region’s civil society organizations about the mistreatment of the immigrants of the region in Europe and the economic problems they experience there.

Füle stated that they have met with EU Foreign Affairs High Representative Catherine Ashton to review the Neighborhood Policy, but have opted to assess the developments in South Mediterranean and to act accordingly with haste, inviting the representatives of the civil society organizations in the region.

Füle said, “It is not the EU’s role to start revolutions. And neither should it be so. It can only be our duty to oversee that the revolutions that do occur are not hijacked. We must ensure that at the end of the transformation process, the wishes of the people are met. We will help you build your society.”
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