European Movement International (EMI) ISTANBUL Congress / 11 – 12 February 2011
11.02.2011 / İSTANBUL
European Movement International (EMI) is established in 1948 and since then working on the relations between civil society organisations and public authorities, especially in the countries neighboring the European Union and on its dialogue with the respective public authorities. In this context the EMI has launched a discourse with Civil Society Organisations through two founding congresses: Algiers in 2006 for the Maghreb countries and Egypt; Ljubljana in 2009 for the Western Balkan countries and Turkey.
The fourth meeting of EMI was held in Istanbul, entitled "Civil Society Organisations challenge public authorities: From political commitment to active dialogue" on 11-12 February 2011, organised in partnership with the Third Sector Foundation of Turkey (TUSEV). The Congress was also supported by the Union of Chamber and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.
President of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu attended to the EMI Istanbul Congress and spoke in the opening session. In his statement Hisarcıklıoglu made the following remarks:
- Our modern democracies cannot properly function without people, correctly informed, engaged and committed. People want to be consulted and heard by public authorities. The challenge we all face today is how to bring the understanding of people into the decision making process. This will enable us to profit from different perceptions and to also enhance public ownership on the decisions.
- Looking into the history of the European Movement, it used to be serving as a platform for the voices of European people. It was the European people that,
o led to the Council of Europe,
o to the European Charter of Human Rights and
o that also paved the way for European integration.
- Turkey has been part of European Movement since the Hague Congress for Europe of 1948, The Turkish delegate subscribed to the declarations of Hague. These declarations were driven by a vision, which is equally valid today.
- “The creation of a unified Europe is a fundamental condition for the creation of a unified world.”
- Turkey also had taken part in Hague and in Brussels, in 1948 and 1949. Because Turkey has always seen herself as part of the democratic European structures. And it is worth stressing that at these very early days of European integration, nobody questioned Turkeys place in the European structures.
- The EU itself is in a difficult situation. It struggles with structural problems and budgetary crisis in most of its Member States. However the world evolves and the EU cannot afford to be only concentrated on its own internal problems.
- As long as most of EU citizens believe that Turkey is not a European country, the idea of the European integration is not completed. The idea of being a family of nations, united by shared values has not reached the hearts and the mind of the EU citizens. This is first and foremost a threat to the European project itself.
- As Turkey; we are a young and dynamic country; on our way to the fifth largest economy in 2050 in the world. This is an asset, which we would bring into the EU.
- The EU would also be better with Turkey in its external policies. The EU should benefit from the excellent and respected relations, which Turkey has with other countries.
Speech of M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu
Program of the Congress
   
|
Your message has been sent
Thank you |
SEARCH
|
