The Fourth International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds has begun today in Brussels. Opening remarks were made by the EUTCC Board Director Ms. Kariane Westrheim and the Executive Director of KHRP Mr. Kerim Yildiz. The opening speeches were made by the 1994 Rafto Prize winner Ms. Leyla Zana, Ms. Bianca Jagger, EUTCC Patron and Mr. Francis Wurtz, MEP. 

Today’s session will discuss democratisation, the EU reform process and the question of political participation for the Kurds. The conference will continue tomorrow with a series of discussions including human rights, the EU accession process, the ongoing conflict in south-east Turkey, the need for conflict resolution and a democratic future for Turkey and the Kurds.

The EU- Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) was established in November 2004 as the outcome of the first international conference on ‘The EU, Turkey and the Kurds’ held in the European Parliament in Brussels on 22-23 November 2004. The EUTCC aims to both promote and provide suggestions for Turkey’s bid for EU accession, and to help guarantee respect for human and minority rights and a peaceful, democratic and long-term solution to the Kurdish situation.