25.09.2018

Civil Society in Turkey under pressure – What is the role of the European Union?

25. - 26.09.2018, closed dialogue programme

European Union and Turkish flags fly outside a hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

At the end of last year the European Parliament as well as the EU Commission discussed vividly about the funds designated to support Turkey in the pre-accession process. After the happenings related to the coup attempt in Turkey, some member states even wanted to cut down the budget. Finally the European Commission declared that the funds will not be lowered but will be re-orientated into the support of civil society organizations and the reform of the judiciary.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung EU Office took this as a reason to organize a dialogue program for representatives of Turkish Civil Society Organizations from different parts of the country in Brussels on 25 and 26 September. They will have meetings with senior representatives from different EU Institutions and Think Tanks to analyze the current situation for NGOs in Turkey and to discuss ways how the EU can still support CSOs under pressure.

Contact: Marco.Schwarz(at)fes-europe.eu