MESOP DOCUMENT : EU supports steps to bring peace & prosperity to South East Turkey

European Commission – MEMO – Brussels, 28 May 2013

Brussels (27th May) – Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met with the co-chair of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Selhattin Demirtaş in Brussels today. They discussed recent political developments in Turkey, notably the peace process, the drafting of a new civilian constitution, recently passed legal changes as well as the need for further reforms.

“I reiterated our decisive support for the peace process. Ending terrorism is a key objective which will allow the Kurdish issue to be solved, bringing peace and prosperity to South East Turkey,” Commissioner Füle said after the meeting. “I stressed once more that the EU stands ready to assist, including through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), in turning the eventual peace deal into opportunity for the whole South East of the country,” he continued and added: “I consider the BDP an important and constructive stakeholder in the peace process and in the continuation of reforms.”

Commissioner Füle underlined that the accession process is inclusive and requires participation of all the relevant stakeholders. He recalled that the EU remains the benchmark for reforms in the country and welcomed the positive new momentum in relations between the EU and Turkey.