Turkish Forum

Tag: Emma Bonino

  • Italian FM: Gezi Park protests accelerated Turkey-EU relations

    The Italian foreign minister expresses hope that Chapter 23 and 24 for Turkey’s EU accession will be opened.

    World Bulletin / News Desk

    The Gezi park protests accelerated Turkey-EU relations, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino told the press on Monday.

    Gezi park demonstrations which started in Istanbul over the re-development plans of a central Istanbul park when a group of activists staged a sit-in protest in late May, later turned into anti-government protests.

    Bonino emphazised the protests allowed Turkey-EU relations to gain momentum.

    Stating that Chapter 22 for Turkey’s EU accession on regional policies was opened, Bonino expressed hope that Chapter 23 and 24 on “judiciary and fundamental rights” and “justice, freedom and security,” respectively will be opened.

    The foreign minister, also touching on the Syria crisis, said Turkey carries a heavy burden by hosting a great number of refugees.

    “The Syrian opposition must get rid of Al-Qaeda affiliated extremists groups within its body before the Geneva 2 Conference set for January 22,” Bonino said.

    Regarding the ongoing protests in Ukraine, which began in November when President Yanukovych rejected to sign a deal on closer ties with the EU, Bonino said what is urgently needed in Ukraine is to prevent a civil war and ease the unrest.

    via Italian FM: Gezi Park protests accelerated Turkey-EU relations | Diplomacy | World Bulletin.

  • Turkey – EU Relations

    Turkey – EU Relations

    Italian Senate’s vice-president said on Tuesday that Italy was aware of Turkey’s patience towards European Union (EU) membership.

    Emma Bonino said EU expected more democratization, transparency and respect to human rights from Turkey.

    “We are aware that Turkey is losing its patience, and it is based on rightful reasons,” Banino said during “Fenomeno Turchia: Development of Society” conference in Milan, Italy.

    Bonino said the EU had to admit the Greek Cypriots as a member, but at the same time it promised Turkey that it would boost its relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) however it had not done anything so far.

    Emma Bonino said she thought that the Greek Cypriot administration was hampering Turkey-EU relations by saying ‘no’ to everything, however some countries were hiding themselves behind the Greek Cypriot administration and were saying ‘no’ to Turkey.

    “Therefore, we cannot be said to be a fair partner for Turkey that keeps its promises,” Bonino said.

    Bonino said Turkey did not have the luxury to behave on its own, and gave the message that Turkey did not have any alternative than the EU.

    Source: TurkishNY

    URL: www.turkishny.com/english-news/5-english-news/68453-qitaly-was-aware-of-turkeys-patience-towards-euq

    via Turkey – EU Relations.