Debate on 2014 Progress Report on Turkey during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg. Statements by Zanda KALNIŅA-LUKAŠEVICA, Parliamentary State Secretary for the European Affairs of Latvia, Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Kati PIRI (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, Renate SOMMER (EPP, DE), Geoffrey VAN ORDEN (ECR, UK), Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF (ALDE, DE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Türkiye (T)

Enlargement to Türkiye (T)

VAN ORDEN, Geoffrey (ECR, UK)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

PIRI, Kati (S&D, NL)

LAMBSDORFF, Alexander Graf (ALDE, DE)

SOMMER, Renate (EPP, DE)

KALNIŅA-LUKAŠEVICA, Zanda (LV)

2014 Progress Report on Turkey: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Zanda KALNI&#325;A-LUKA&#352;EVICA, Latvian Presidence of the Council, "There had been a number of positive signals in our relations over the last year. First we welcome the dialogue on Foreign Policy issues, in particular active counter-terrorism dialogue between the EU and Turkey and an exchange of best practices on the prevention of radicalisation and recruitment for terrorism."

SOUNDBITE (English), Zanda KALNI&#325;A-LUKA&#352;EVICA, Latvian Presidence of the Council, "We acknowledge the important regional role Turkey plays here I would like to praise the considerable efforts made by Turkey hosting around 2 million refugees during the violence in Syria and Iraq, the EU will continue to support Turkey, so it can deal effectively with increasing flow of refugees, including through financial assistance."

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, (speaking on behalf of EC Johannes HAHN) about migration and illegal Human trafficking via land boarders or via sea towards the EU: "In order to tackle the serious global and regional challenges, that we share, we need to engage Turkey even more."

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, "Turning to the Cyprus issue: The Commission believes that the time has come to all involved to use the current opportunity to solve the problem. The COM stands firmly behind the UN Special Representative Espen EIDE, in his efforts to get the communities in Cyprus to successfully continue the settlement talks."

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, "The Commission has high expectations for our cooperation with Turkey after the election and hope to see the new government and Parliament re-energizes the EU agenda in Turkey."

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur , "If we want to make sure that those in need of protection can find a save heaven in the region we need to step up our efforts to actively assist Turkey in providing adequate shelter, health care for refugees and their children."

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur , "There is also clear concern in this Parliament about certain developments in Turkey; these are issues at the core of the negotiation process, such as the independence of the judiciary, the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press. The pressure put on media and journalists, which often results in intimidation, dismissal and even arrest of journalists and wide self-censorship is of great concern to all of us."

SOUNDBITE (German), Renate SOMMER (EPP, DE), "I think it is wrong to demand any further opening of chapters of the negotiations, I think that would actually support the government in the electoral campaign; they would see that as a reward for their anti-democratic policies. I think we need a re-assessment of the whole negotiation process. "

SOUNDBITE (English), Geoffrey VAN ORDEN (ECR, UK), "Energy cooperation is a crucial issue; we should oppose this Turkish Stream project, which would bring Russian gas across the Black sea to Turkey. And work towards the opening of chapter 15 in order to encourage Turkey to continue to engage with the EU instead."

SOUNDBITE (German), Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF (ALDE, DE), "Council declares today that the EU is the anchor of political reforms in Turkey still, I want to know on what kind of planet you are living on. Turkey is reforming as its sees fit; in the direction they want to go, in the direction the democratic government wants it to take it. Unfortunately with the first political Copenhagen criteria this doesn't have much of connection."