IKV’s Trustee Organisations:
19 65
ISSUE: 45 DECEMBER 2018 www.ikv.org.tr / contact: [email protected] THE FIFTH RAG MEETING PUT CONCRETE JUDICIAL REFORMS ON THE TABLE The fifth RAG meeting taking place soon after the fourth meeting includes hints regarding Ankara’s commitment to the EU accession process.
he fifth meeting of the Reform Action Group (RAG) was Theld on 11 December 2018 in Ankara with the participation of Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu together with high level participation from the Presidency and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Also participation from Turkey’s PACE delegation as well as relevant public authorities including Human Rights and Equality Institution and Personal Data Protection Authority was ensured. Unlike the previous RAG meeting which was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Justice. Reform Action Group meetings have been monitoring the implementation of reforms on the way to EU accession on the basis of the political criteria, judiciary, civil liberties, freedoms and obstructions in the accession increasing the number of judges visa liberalisation, the fulfilment to speed up the implementation of security chapters. In the previous negotiations. Moreover, increasing and prosecutors in coordination of the benchmark regarding Facility for Refugees in Turkey. period, many vital steps regarding determination and impetus with the European Commission issuing second-generation Lastly, the RAG welcomed the Turkey’ EU accession process, such regarding the closure of the PACE for the Efficiency of Justice of the biometric passports, newly started decision to hold Turkey-EU High as reforming the judicial system, monitoring process was a key Council of Europe as well as the negotiations on exchange of Level Dialogue meetings on energy preparing proposals for political outcome of the meeting. Commission is underway. Also personal data between Europol and on 18 December 2018, on transport reforms were made just after the Furthermore, possible reform during the same period, the Action Turkish competent authorities as on 15 January 2019, on economy RAG meetings. The fourth RAG steps concerning the justice sector Plan on the Prevention of the well as bringing the Law Proposal on 28 February 2019, and Turkey- meeting has been noted as the were brought to the agenda. Since Violation of European Convention on Parliamentarians Ethics on the EU Joint Parliamentary Committee first RAG meeting after a long- the fourth RAG meeting, one of the on Human Rights will be updated as GNAT’s table were highlighted. It meeting on 18-20 December 2018 winded three-year hiatus. The fifth priority areas has been the updating expected by the EU bodies. was stressed that technical work as reflected in the press statement. meeting being held soon after the of the Judicial Reform Strategy. Until For improving the fundamental within the scope of the Law on Apart from the fundamental fourth RAG meeting is indicative now, the opinions and proposals rights and freedoms ecosystem the Protection of the Personal Data rights and freedoms as well as the of the Turkish decision-makers’ of all stakeholders related to the in Turkey, RAG also elaborated is underway. Moreover, the RAG justice sector, the call towards the commitment to the EU accession judiciary have been received, concrete steps. To this end, Human shared the plans about the National modernisation of the Customs bid. according to the RAG, further work Rights and Equality Institution’s Migration Paper’s drafting process Union, the decision of the EU As a matter of fact, Turkey’s would be carried out together with capacity would be enhanced and and the 2019-2021 Action Plan institutions to cut IPA funds which commitment and determination EU institutions and the Council a large scale conference for the on the Fight against Organised would dramatically reduce the EU’s to its EU membership process of Europe. Besides, another key Roman citizens would be organised. Crime which is planned to be visibility in Turkey and Brexit’s effects was underlined. As reflected in objective for the Turkish justice During the meeting, Chapter 24 adopted in early 2019. Once again, on Turkey were the other topics the press statement following the sector is the strengthening and on Justice, Freedom and Security, the competent Turkish authorities mentioned. The RAG agreed to hold meeting, Turkey would be decisively accelerating of the judicial processes the visa liberalisation dialogue, called for the establishment and its sixth meeting under the auspices continuing its efforts to align with as also reported by the Commission migration and other relevant issues implementation of Voluntary of the Ministry of Treasury and EU standards despite political for many times. To this end, also were discussed. In regard to Humanitarian Admission Scheme Finance in the first half of 2019. 19 65 1 1965 ISSUE: 45 – DECEMBER 2018 9 65 2018
IKV AGENDA TOBB PRESIDENT HİSARCIKLIOĞLU VISITED IKV’S BRUSSELS REPRESENTATION
TURKEY-EU RELATIONS DISCUSSED OBB President and Eurochambres Vice- Representation of TOBB, IKV and TuR&Bo. TOBB TPresident M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in the President Hisarcıklıoğlu held a meeting with the AT IKV CONFERENCE IN BUCHAREST context of his visit to Brussels to attend personnel and received a briefing on the main the Eurochambres Presidential Council items on the EU’s agenda, the state of play in AHEAD OF ROMANIA’S EU on 6 December 2018, visited the Brussels Turkey-EU relations and transatlantic relations. PRESIDENCY IKV DELEGATION MET EUROPEAN KV organised a conference entitled “Turkey EU’s role as a global actor. Moreover, Ciamba COMMISSION’S HEAD OF TURKEY UNIT Iand EU Relations: Challenges and Prospects” underscored their determination to work for in the capital of Romania, Bucharest, under the improvement of the Turkey-EU dialogue the EU Presidencies and Turkey Project. during the Romanian EU Presidency. Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu pointed Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı and Romania’s out to the fact that Turkey’s Black Sea Minister-Delegate for European Affairs neighbour, Romania is going to assume George Ciamba attended the conference the Presidency of the EU Council for the which was organised in association with first time and expressed his belief that EU’s European Institute of Romania and Turkey relations with Turkey will improve during Businessmen Association (TIAD), just before the Romanian EU Presidency. Zeytinoğlu the Romanian Presidency of the EU which is indicated that revitalisation in accession set to begin on 1 January 2019. negotiations is going to bring Turkey’s At the conference, Deputy Minister of contribution to EU’s security and welfare to Foreign Affairs of Turkey Ambassador Faruk the maximum level. IKV Chairman outlined Kaymakcı, Romania’s Minister-Delegate three areas which might provide for progress for European Affairs George Ciamba and in Turkey-EU relations in the short term: IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu delivered modernisation of the Customs Union, visa speeches. Ambassador Kaymakcı emphasised liberalisation and cooperation on migration. that full membership continues to be Nevertheless, Ayhan Zeytinoğlu expressed Turkey’s main objective in its relations that cooperation in these areas cannot with the EU and other alternatives such as constitute an alternative to the accession strategic partnership are not acceptable. process. Kaymakcı expressed that having no progress IKV Vice-Chairman Prof. Halûk in accession negotiations weakens EU’s Kabaalioğlu,who moderated the conference, persuasiveness. provided a historical account of Turkey-EU Romanian EU Affairs Minister Ciamba relations and indicated that the fact that n 14 December 2018, IKV Secretary Turkey-EU relations, visa liberalisation and especially defended that contacts and Turkey’s accession negotiations were blocked OGeneral Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, the modernisation of the Customs Union cooperation among NGOs and think tanks due to Cyprus issue was unacceptable. IKV’s Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray were discussed, the parties exchanged should be developed to improve Turkey- Mentioning the adverse effect,the visa and Senior Researcher Yeliz Şahin came views on the new generation Turkey EU relations. Ciamba mentioned that requirement has had on the functioning together with European Commission’s Report which is set to be announced by Turkey’s EU adventure has started with of the Customs Union, Prof. Kabaalioğlu Head of Turkey Unit, Bernard Brunet in the EC between April-June 2019 and the the Republic and Atatürk and emphasised underlined that the rise of the far-right also Brussels. During the meeting, in which results of the upcoming EP elections. Turkey’s irreplaceable contribution to the hinders Turkey’s integration.
ISSUE 45 . December 2018 19 65 1965 www.ikv.org.tr 19 65 2018 IKV AGENDA TIMELINE DECEMBER 2018 JPC VICE-CHAIR KYRKOS SPOKE AT G20 Leaders’ Summit was held 1 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. THE TOBB-IKV BRUSSELS OFFICE 2
framework document, suspension COP24 climate talks kicked off 3 IKV organised a 4-day would in essence mean a in Katowice, Poland. training for a group of young termination of the accession leaders in Brussels. negotiations. 4 NATO Foreign Ministers met In his address, MEP Miltos in Brussels. Kyrkos expressed his concern about 5 the draft Turkey Report. Kyrkos underscored the need to maintain Turkey-EU relations were Turkey’s EU accession negotiations 6 discussed in Bucharest, and stated that Turkey’s EU dream Romania at the IKV panel should continue. Indicating that 7 ahead of the Romanian EU a report recommending a formal Presidency. suspension of the accession talks risked shutting the door on Turkey, 8 urkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Representation, was moderated by Kyrkos highlighted that this was Committee Vice-Chair Miltos IKV’s Brussels Representative Haluk unacceptable. He said that together T 9 Kyrkos (Greece, S&D) addressed Nuray. with the like-minded MEPs, they Turkish civil society and business In his introductory remarks, have submitted an amendment 164 countries signed the UN community representatives based IKV’s Brussels Representative calling for focusing on the reform Global Compact on Migration. 10 in Belgium at the conference Haluk Nuray provided a historical outcomes while maintaining the 5th meeting of the Reform organised by TÖSED-BUSINESSTURK account of Turkey-EU relations accession process. Kyrkos urged the Action Group IKV Istanbul EU Information on 17 December 2018. The and evaluated the EP’s latest draft Turkish civil society to call on the EP 11 th Centre marked the 70 conference, which took place Turkey Report. Nuray warned not to suspend EU accession talks Turkish Foreign Minister anniversary of the Universal at the TOBB and IKV’s Brussels that according to the negotiating and “not to kill Turkey’s EU dream”. Çavuşoğlu came together 12 Declaration of Human Rights with a photo exhibition and with EU ambassadors. TH a panel on “Human Rights in IKV ATTENDED THE 78 TURKEY-EU JPC The European Council met 13 the age of Technology”. in Brussels to discuss the EU budget, external relations, An IKV delegation came MEETING migration and the Single 14 together with European KV participated in the 78th Turkey-EU Market. Commission’s Head of Turkey IJoint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) 15 Unit, Bernard Brunet in meeting which was held on 19-20 Brussels. December 2018 at the GNAT under 16 the co-chairmanship of İsmail Emrah Karayel ve Manolis Kefalogiannis. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs 17 Turkey-EU JPC Vice-Chair and Director for EU Affairs Faruk Kyrkos gave a conference Kaymakcı, Deputy Director-General at TOBB and IKV’s Brussels 18 Representation. for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maciej 78th meeting of the Turkey- Popowski, Head of the EU Delegation EU Joint Parliamentary 19 IKV participated in the 78th to Turkey Ambassador Christian Berger Committee meeting of the Turkey- and Austria’s Ambassador in Ankara economic cooperation and security were discussed, IKV EU Joint Parliamentary Ulrike Tilly on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the 20 Committee. was represented by Strategy and Business Development EU delivered the opening speeches of the meeting. During Director M. Gökhan Kilit and Press Officer and EU the meeting, in which a wide range of issues including Information Centre Coordinator Mehmet Poyrazlı. 21
22 JEAN MONNET SCHOLARS VISITED TOBB 23 AND IKV’S BRUSSELS REPRESENTATION 24 n 30 November 2018, a group of 85 post-graduate students, O 25 who have been awarded the Jean Monnet Scholarship for 2018- 2019 academic year, visited TOBB 26 and IKV’s Brussels Representation. During the panel session on 27 Turkey-EU relations from the perspective of the business community, Jean Monnet scholars 28 were informed on the activities of TOBB, IKV and DEIK vis-à-vis the Issue 25 • December 2016 3 29 EU. IKV’s Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray, in his address to the Jean Monnet scholars, shared 30 his views on the state of play challenges facing the EU. Nuray the history, mission and activities in Turkey-EU relations and the also informed the participants on of IKV. 31
ISSUE 45 . December 2018 19 65 1 1965 ISSUE: 45 – DECEMBER 2018 9 65 2018
IKV AGENDA
IKV ORGANISED A TRAINING PROGRAMME IKV ADDRESSED THE IMPLICATIONS ON EU VALUES IN BRUSSELS OF BREXIT FOR TURKEY AND THE EU
KV organised a training programme for a group of foreign policy and Turkey-EU relations. KV organised a panel entitled “Brexit, lastly Brexit’s commercial and economic young leaders on 3-7 December 2018 in Brussels. IKV’s Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray and I the EU’s Future and Turkey” on 28 implications for Turkey were discussed. Within the framework of the project entitled “Future Senior Researcher Yeliz Şahin also participated in the I November 2018 in cooperation with At the panel moderated by IKV Vice Values Training” carried out in association with sessions hosted by IKV’s Brussels Representation. Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Chairman Prof. Halûk Kabaalioğlu, the European Neighbourhood Council, Friedrich IKV Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray delivered tackled the debates concerning the panellists included Assoc. Prof. Özlem Naumann Foundation and the Swedish Foreign presentations on EU values and Turkey-EU relations Brexit deal. During the panel, in which Kaygusuz from Ankara University, Assoc. Ministry, IKV Junior Researcher Melis Bostanoğlu, and informed the participants on Turkey-EU trade Head of the Economic and Prosperity Prof. Donnacha O Beachain from Dublin Tema Foundation Project Coordinator Tuğba relations with a focus on the Customs Union. Team of the British Embassy in Istanbul City University, Directorate General for Ağaçayak, the anchor and producer of the Kanal B’s Within the framework of the project, the four Nicholas Cannon delivered the opening EU Affairs of Ministry of Trade Elif Gürsoy, “Güncel” programme Emre Saklıca and the Executive leaders who participated in the training are expected speech, Brexit’s central position and Government Affairs Coordinator at Ford Director of Freedom Research Association Medeni to share their experience with students, academics, its potential implications for the EU’s Otosan Ali Utku Atalay and Istanbul Sungur had one-on-one meetings with experts. They civil society representatives and policy-makers by future, the Northern Ireland-Ireland Textile and Raw Materials Exporters also had the opportunity to get information from carrying out presentations in the selected universities border dispute, which was the main Association Board Member Mustafa experts on EU values, education and innovation, EU in four cities of Turkey. breaking point of the negotiations, and Denizer. HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AGE OF IKV ORGANISED A CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGY WAS DISCUSSED AT IKV EUROPEAN STUDIES PANEL KV organised a conference Ion European Studies on 23-24 November 2018 in cooperation with Marmara University’s EU Institute. The moderation of the conference, in which a plethora of issues on the agenda of the EU and Turkey-EU issues were discussed by numerous distinguished Turkey-EU relations and the future of the EU. KV Istanbul EU Information Centre from Özyeğin University and Mehmet researchers and academics,was assumed by The second session of the conference organised a photo exhibition and a Bedii Kaya from Yıldırım Beyazıt University IKV Vice-Chairman Prof. Halûk Kabaalioğlu. focused on European regional policy, I panel entitled “Human Rights in the Age tackled human rights issues in the age In the first session, Anne-Klebes Pelissier national sovereignty and European of Technology”, on the occasion of the of technology with a specific focus on from the University of Strasbourg made a integration in the context of Brexit 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration human rights issues caused by algorithms, presentation on WTO and trade disputes and horizontal and vertical effects of of Human Rights. During the panel problems that come along with services that are directly related to Turkey and the development aid to third countries. While decision of the US administration to impose legal issues, migration and ECJ decisions moderated by IKV Vice Chairman Prof. which provide convenience to our lives additional tariffs on steel and aluminium were brought to the table in the third session Halûk Kabaalioğlu, Prof. Bertil Emrah Oder and the need for privacy-based design for while the Consul General of the Netherlands of the panel, the last session focused on from Koç University, Özlem Armağan products. in Istanbul Bart van Bolhuis talked about multiple dimensions of Turkey-EU relations. IKV DISCUSSED THE CONVERSION OF FOREIGN IKV SECRETARY GENERAL PARTICIPATED IN THE IPC- CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS TO TURKISH LIRAS MERCATOR MEETING AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT he IKV panel entitled “Conversion Tof Foreign Currency Transactions to n 14 December 2018, IKV Secretary General Assoc. Turkish Liras” took place on 27 November OProf. Çiğdem Nas visited Brussels to participate in 2018. At the panel organised in association the final meeting of the Track II Diplomacy Working Group with Istanbul Tax Center (IVM) in which under the Revitalizing Turkey-EU-Germany Relations the opening speeches were delivered by Project funded by the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC)-Sabancı IKV’s Strategy and Business Development University-Stiftung Mercator Initiative. During the meeting, Director Gökhan Kilit and Istanbul Tax which took place at the European Parliament, leading Center Chairman Prof. Hakan Üzeltürk, scholars, academics and representatives of EU institutions panellists included KPMG Tax Partner held an in-depth discussion on the future of Europe Certified Public Accountant Abdulkadir and differentiated integration, the viability of the EU’s Kahraman, Group Tax Director of Anadolu conditionality toolkit and the future of Turkey-EU relations. Holding Can Doğan, Structure, Tax & IKV Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray and Senior Financial Regulations Management Director Researcher Yeliz Şahin also attended the meeting. of Sabancı Holding Şerafettin Karakış.
ISSUE 45 . December 2018 19 65 1965 www.ikv.org.tr 19 65 2018
TURKEY-EU WATCH TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE MET IN ANKARA The 78th meeting of the Turkey- EU Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) took place in Ankara at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) on 19-20 December 2018.
he members of the JPC and the sub- Tcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) first met with Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey and heads of missions of EU Member States in Ankara followed by a meeting with representatives of civil society organisations. The EU Delegation also came together with Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs. MEPs led by Manolis Kefalogiannis, Turkish MPs headed by JPC Co-Chair İsmail Emrah Karayel; along with Deputy Director-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maciej Popowski, Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey Ambassador Christian Berger, Ambassador Ulrike Tilly representing the Austrian Coşkun and Deputy Director General at the chairmanship of İsmail Emrah Karayel (AK Party, their joint hope and willingness to hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Deputy DG for EU and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry GNAT) and Manolis Kefalogiannis (EPP, EP). next JPC meeting before the upcoming Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU of Trade Mehmet Tan addressed the meeting. The co-chairs underlined that the JPC serves EP elections. The JPC exchanged views on Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı, Director Representatives from EU Member States were as an important platform to conduct an open Turkey-EU relations and the state of play in the General for International Security Affairs at the also present in the meeting. dialogue between the GNAT and the EP for accession negotiations, economic cooperation Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Alper The meeting was held under the joint improving Turkey-EU relations. They expressed and security challenges in the region.
TURKEY AND EUROPOL LAUNCHED THE 126TH TURKEY-EU NEGOTIATIONS ON EXCHANGE OF ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE PERSONAL DATA MEETING WAS HELD IN BRUSSELS Talks on an agreement between Ankara and Europol were launched on 30 November 2018 in Brussels.
s one of the outstanding benchmarks in the of the priorities of the EU institutions reflecting Aframework of the Visa Liberalisation Roadmap, the aim of combating terrorism and organised an operational cooperation agreement with the crime, and better addressing migration-related European Police Service (Europol) is considered a challenges such as the facilitation of irregular crucial step in fighting serious crime and terrorism. migration and trafficking in human beings. As a While Turkish and EU officials met in Ankara for country maintaining a refugee deal with the EU the EU-Turkey High-Level Dialogue meeting on and hosting more than 3 million refugees, Turkey ne of the highest bureaucratic Association Council and to make the 20 November 2018 focusing mostly on security shares the same aim with the EU on security issues. Oorgans under the Ankara required analysis for technical issues. cooperation, they spelt out their mutual intention Nevertheless, negotiations are expected to last Agreement, the Turkey-EU Association During the meeting, which to conclude and implement an operational for more than a year due to recent bylaw changes Committee has convened for the brought together representatives of cooperation agreement between Turkey and the adding the necessity of approval of each Member 126th time since 1 December 1964. the Turkish public institutions and the EU. Afterwards, negotiations on the draft agreement State. This means that Turkey will have to finalise The meeting was held under the officials from EU member states, the were launched on 30 November 2018 in Brussels bilateral judicial cooperation agreements with each co-chairmanship of Deputy Minister EU Council, European Commission with the participation of Turkey’s Deputy Minister EU Member State. Since Turkey does not recognise of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU and European External Action Service, of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs, the Greek Cypriot Administration, alternative ways Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı the latest developments in Turkey’s EU Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı. have been discussed to realise the agreement. on 29 November 2018 in Brussels. The accession process, counter-terrorism, The aim of strengthening cooperation on Before arriving at that stage, Turkey first needs to Association Committee was established modernisation of the Customs Union, visa security issues with 8 non-EU member countries make necessary legislative amendments on data by the Decision No:3/64 of Turkey-EC liberalisation process, cooperation in the (Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, protection paving the way for the implementation Association Council assigning it the fields of transport and energy as well as Egypt, and Algeria) through enabling personal of an operational cooperation agreement with objective to prepare the agenda of the financial cooperation were discussed. data exchange with Europol constitutes one Europol.
ISSUE 45 . December 2018 19 65 ISSUE: 39 APRIL 2018 1 1965 ISSUE: 45 – DECEMBER 2018 9 65 2018
TURKEY-EU WATCH EU CUT TURKEY’S PRE-ACCESSION FUNDS IN THE 2019 BUDGET
n 11 December 2018, the European In line with the agreement reached OCouncil endorsed the agreement reached between the Member States in June 2018, with the EP on the EU budget for 2019.The the 2019 EU budget will contribute 1.45 2019 EU budget, which was determined billion euros to the EU Facility for Refugees in after months of negotiations and meetings, Turkey to support the essential needs of Syrian is envisaged as 148.2 billion euros with 2 refugees such as healthcare and schooling. percent increase in expenditures. Despite the In the field of migration and security, the increase in the 2019 budget, it was stated that Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund is Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) considerably strengthened in the EU budget for Turkey will be cut by 146.7 million euros, as 1.1 billion euros have been allocated to on the grounds of deteriorating situation in migration management. This corresponds to relation to democracy, rule of law and human a 55.9 percent increase compared to 2018. rights. The IPA aims to align Turkish legislation Additional funds are allocated for several and standards with the EU, building authorities’ agencies dealing with current migration and capacity for undertaking this harmonisation, security challenges, such as Frontex, European and implementing the reforms throughout the Asylum Support Office, Europol and eu-LISA. accession process.
TURKEY LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN AGAINST PLASTIC BAG USE
stimated one trillion bags used December 2018. Ünsal showed a Eannually worldwide, while two-and-a-half minute video which destroying the planet and killing the aims to raise awareness on the issue sea creatures;take up to thousands to be distributed across the media of years to degrade, and gradually channels and also presented her own find their way to our food chain. alternative for plastic bags: a canvas Turkey, especially, consumes 440 bag with the words “10,000 plastic plastic bags per person every bags strong”. Ambassador Christian year which is much higher than Berger also touched upon this issue European countries which use 15-20 in his interview with The Independent plastic bags per person every year. and while he acknowledged the Therefore, following the single-use potential resistance,he also asserted plastics ban approved by the EU, that producing canvas bags could Turkey announced restrictions on lead to innovation and profits in the plastic bags in Turkey due by 2018 long run. with compulsory charges plastic Under the new amendment, bags at supermarkets in line with EU shops and grocery markets will be legislation. obliged to sell plastic bags for not less In order to raise awareness than 0.25 lira or will face fines as of 1 about the harmful effects of plastic January 2019. This regulation seeks bags, Head of the EU Delegation to to decrease the use of customary Turkey Ambassador Christian Berger plastic bags at supermarkets to 90 per and Turkish celebrity Tuba Ünsal person annually by the end of 2019 came together at an event on 10 and to 40 by the end of 2025.
TURKEY BACKED UN’S GLOBAL COMPACT ON MIGRATION
in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Turkey also welcomed the adoption of the GCM and was represented at the Conference by Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu. As it is known, Turkey actively contributed to the preparation, stocktaking and negotiation processes of the Global Compact. It will also be an ardent advocate for its effective implementation. During his speech at the Conference, Minister Soylu noted that Turkey hosts over 3.6 million Syrians under “temporary protection” status and provides education to 916,074 of them total of 164 UN member-states attending in action a plan “to prevent suffering and of the Compact. Despite several withdrawals, every year. Soylu also recalled that Turkey A a two-day Intergovernmental Conference chaos” for global migration despite opposition the GCM can be considered as the first, has spent more than 32 billion dollars from on 10 and 11 December 2018 in Marrakech, and several withdrawals, including from inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, its own national resources for helping and Morocco, unanimously adopted the Global the United States. Australia and a group of prepared under the auspices of the UN, to sheltering refugees since the beginning of the Compact for Migration (GCM).The GCM sets Eastern European countries also opted out cover all dimensions of international migration Syrian civil war.
ISSUE 45 . December 2018 19 65 1965 www.ikv.org.tr 19 65 2018
HIGH-LEVEL EXCHANGES PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN EMBARKED ON A TOUR OF LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES
NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS CAME TOGETHER IN BRUSSELS
n 4-5 December 2018, NATO Foreign contributors to NATO missions and operations, OMinisters met in Brussels to discuss critical Turkey expects solidarity from the allies in all issues for the Alliance’s shared security. During issues. the meeting, NATO foreign ministers addressed During the second day of the meeting, a wide range of issues including the Alliance’s NATO foreign ministers deliberated on the cooperation with Georgia and Ukraine, recent developments in the Western Balkans transatlantic security, and NATO’s approach including the prospective membership of to the Middle East and North Africa. Western Macedonia to the Alliance as its 30th member, Balkans and the situation in Afghanistan were bringing Bosnia-Herzegovina closer to NATO also among the main items on the agenda of and the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue on NATO foreign ministers. normalisation. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt On the side-lines of the NATO foreign resident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan embarked on Lopez. Following the ceremony, the two presidents Çavuşoğlu, who represented Turkey in the ministers’ meeting, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu Pa four-day tour of Latin American countries had a tête-à-tête meeting, after which they issued meeting, underscored the importance held bilateral meetings with his counterparts on 30 November 2018. First, President Erdoğan a joint statement praising the strong diplomatic of the transatlantic bond to NATO and from Canada, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, travelled to Argentina to attend the G20 Leaders’ ties between the two countries. The presidents collective security. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu Macedonia, Norway, Spain as well as with US Summit in Buenos Aires where he held numerous agreed to take steps for further development of emphasised that as one of the largest Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo. bilateral meetings on the side-lines of the two-day bilateral ties in economy, education, culture, science summit with the participating heads of state and technology and trade. In the context of his visit, government including Russian President Putin, President Erdoğan was decorated with Paraguay’s British Prime Minister May, Dutch Prime Minister Order of the State. Rutte and Japanese Prime Minister Abe. Following In Venezuela, President Erdoğan and on 16 April 2018. In NATO allies’ solidarity YPG, FETÖ and ISIL and the G20 Leaders’ Summit, President Erdoğan visited his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro the context of the in the fight against all expressed that decisions Paraguay and Venezuela on 2-3 December 2018 participated in the Venezuela-Turkey Business visit, Stoltenberg kinds of terrorism was regarding enlargement which marked the first presidential visits from Forum. Speaking at the Business Forum, President came together with emphasised. policy should be taken. Turkey to these countries. President Erdoğan’s three- Erdoğan referred to the solid ties of friendship President Recep Tayyip Following the Lastly, Stoltenberg nation tour was hailed as part of Turkey’s opening and solidarity between Turkey and Venezuela and Erdoğan, Minister of meeting with President met with Minister up to Latin America within the framework of the pointed to the strong potential in the economic Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Erdoğan, Stoltenberg of National Defence country’s multidimensional foreign policy. relations between the two countries. Ten treaties Çavuşoğlu and Minister came together with Nurettin Canikli. During In Paraguay, President Erdoğan was welcomed were signed between Ankara and Caracas of National Defence Minister of Foreign the meeting, Minister by his Paraguayan counterpart Mario Abdo Benitez including on economic relations, defence industry Nurettin Canikli. Affairs Mevlüt Canikli and NATO with an official ceremony at the Palacio de los cooperation and education. During the visit, Çavuşoğlu. Minister Secretary General Jens NATO Secretary Çavuşoğlu and Secretary Stoltenberg discussed General Stoltenberg General Stoltenberg the cooperation in the MINISTER ÇAVUŞOĞLU CAME TOGETHER WITH COP24 CLIMATE CHANGE AMBASSADORS OF EU MEMBER STATES CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN KATOWICE
he 24th Conference of the Parties to either. Due to the busy schedule of the Tthe UN Framework Convention on event, Turkey’s request for the deletion Climate Change (COP 24) took place in of the name of Turkey from Annex I Katowice from 3 to 15 December 2018. could not be negotiated. Therefore, As the IPCC and UNEP reports published Turkey remains to be one of the 13 just before the panel drew attention countries which have not ratified the to the fact that the Cancun Pledges Paris Agreement yet. However, Turkey’s and the current nationally determined efforts to tackle climate change are contributions were not enough to limit of vital importance, as it is one of the global warming to well below 2°C and countries among the G20 countries 1.5°C, COP24 was anticipated more which have increased their greenhouse than ever to put forward more stringent emissions. For 2019, as Brazil forfeited measures to limit greenhouse gas from hosting the next COP, Chile is emissions. However, at the end of the expected to host the COP25. Despite n 12 December 2018, Foreign Minister Mevlüt opportunity to exchange views with the ambassadors 11-day event, parties could only agree the setbacks in front of Turkey’s on a rulebook and promised to review ratification of Paris Agreement, Turkey Çavuşoğlu met with Ambassador Christian of EU Member States on Turkey-EU relations and O their contribution every year starting still shows the will to be involved in the Berger the Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey and regional issues, as well as the political developments in 2020. fight against climate change as it has the ambassadors of the EU Member States at the EU in the last year. During the luncheon, Minister Turkey, on the other hand, could not announced its candidacy to host the Delegation residence for a working luncheon. The Çavuşoğlu expressed that Turkey’s strategic goal of EU get what it wanted from this year’s COP COP26. working luncheon offered Minister Çavuşoğlu an membership is also of crucial importance to the EU.
ISSUE 45 . December 2018 19 65 1 1965 ISSUE: 45 – DECEMBER 2018 9 65 2018
EXPERT VIEW THE FIRST G20 PRESIDENCY OF LATIN AMERICA: THE BUENOS AIRES SUMMIT The G20 Summit, in which the Russia-Ukraine crisis, trade wars and the Khashoggi murder were high on the agenda, was marked by divergences on climate change, tariffs and migration.
Merve ÖZCAN infrastructure investments, education, Junior Researcher health, gender equality and empowerment of girls. Furthermore, as having a universal language rgentina, which took over irrespective of ethnicity, religion and the G20 Presidency from race, football builds bridges between AGermany on 1 December people and connects them around a 2017, hosted the 13th G20 Summit common purpose. in Buenos Aires, on 30 November- Another interesting moment 1 December 2018. The first G20 at the Buenos Aires Summit was presidency of the Latin American the sincere greeting between Saudi country was carried out under the Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin theme “building consensus for fair and Salman and Russian President Vladimir sustainable development”. In line with Putin. Contrary to expectations, Prince this theme, Buenos Aires identified the Salman, who has been kept an eye following priorities: the future of work, on due to the Khashoggi murder, was infrastructure for development, food very well received by G20 leaders. security and gender mainstreaming. On the other hand, Putin’s planned Apart from these priorities, bilateral meeting with US President previous commitments such as the Trump was cancelled by the White Compared to the previous Leaders’ but also to combat child labour and ensure added value, sustainability and irreversibility of the Paris Agreement House one day before the summit Declaration published after the forced labour along with human productivity. on climate change were frequently due to Russia’s latest confrontation G20 Hamburg Summit, this year’s trafficking and modern slavery. As In terms of the fourth priority recapped. with Ukraine. Among Trump’s non- declaration is eight pages long and having a direct impact on the future that is gender mainstreaming, This year has a special meaning cancelled bilateral meetings, the one approximately half of the former one. of work, education is given a special the commitment reached at because it is the 10th anniversary with Chinese President Xi Jinping In addition, although the Hamburg place to underline the significance 2014 Brisbane Summit to reduce of the launch of the G20 for better is worth mentioning since Donald Summit’s Leaders’ Declaration was of educating girls and aligning the gender gap in labour force coordination of economic and Trump ruled out a prospective rise in divided into sections outlining education policies with employment participation rate by 25 percent by financial policies for the mitigation tariffs on Chinese goods priced at 200 Germany’s presidential priorities, this trends. 2025 is underlined. It is stated that of the adverse impacts of the 2008 billion dollars from 10 to 25 percent. year’s Leaders’ Declaration does not With regard to the second although there has been progress, global financial crisis. As 2018 has Additionally, 31 agreements include such a division. priority, infrastructure for much more efforts are still needed. been marked with threats to the signed between Argentina and China The G20 Buenos Aires Summit development, persistent gaps in Leaders call for the entire globe to functioning of the rules-based on the margins of the G20 Summit to Leaders’ Declaration firstly underlines financing infrastructure are underlined fight against all kinds of discrimination international order, trade wars and develop the economic cooperation trade tensions and financial and to combat this challenge the against girls and women alongside reform of the WTO were in the on areas including agriculture, sensitivities and emphasises the need need to attract more private capital gender-based violence. Within this forefront during the summit. G20 energy, science and infrastructure for dialogue. The role of monetary, to infrastructure investments is scope, promises not only to improve leaders agreed on doing their best to were among the trending topics. fiscal and structural policies in underscored. Additionally, providing the working conditions of women sustain the international order which The agreements are regarded as an sustaining the international financial greater contractual standardisation, and reduce the gender pay gap, but gives US President Donald Trump a important opportunity especially system is reiterated. Besides, in addressing data gaps and improving also to enhance digital skills of women message of unity in the face of his for Argentina which has been order to distribute the benefits of risk mitigation instruments are agreed and increase their representation in controversial economic decisions. struggling with an economic crisis. technological change, these policies upon. high-tech sectors are made. Additionally, a range of issues Another interesting feature of this are stated to be designed accordingly. Concerning food security, which including climate change, Sustainable year’s summit is that Theresa May Afterwards, the declaration is the third priority, its significance Trending Topics of the G20 Buenos Development Goals, migration and has become the first British Prime proceeds with the four priorities is highlighted for ensuring a world Aires Summit digitalisation were also high on the Minister who paid an official visit to of the Argentinian G20 Presidency. without hunger and all forms of As it happens every year, G20 agenda. Moreover, the G20 leaders Buenos Aires after the outbreak of the Regarding the first priority, future of malnutrition. According to the Buenos Aires Summit also witnessed called for the solution of the Russia- Falklands War between Argentina and work, it is stated that decent work, document, in order to ensure some extraordinary moments. Initially, Ukraine crisis and the murder of Saudi the UK in 1982. vocational training and development sustainable agriculture, innovative football was brought to the table of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi As has been the case in the of skills need to be promoted and agrarian practices should be made the leaders of the world’s biggest Arabia’s Consulate in Istanbul. previous G20 Summits, Buenos Aires social protection systems should more prevalent. The need to protect 20 economies for the very first time. was scene to large scale anti-G20 be strengthened. Good practices biodiversity and mitigate the effects Within the scope of five areas, FIFA Leaders’ Declaration of the G20 protests. Despite the declaration of in these areas are proposed to be of extreme weather events on President Gianni Infantino expressed Buenos Aires Summit a state of emergency for two days The most significant outputs shared. Furthermore, G20 leaders agriculture is reiterated. Moreover, G20 the reasons why football should be and the widespread safety measures of G20 summits are undoubtedly have committed not only to raise leaders underline their willingness evaluated as an influential means to taken, people took to the streets to leaders’ declarations through which labour force participation rates of to cooperate with all relevant fight the threats the world is currently protest Trump, global warming and leaders indicate their commitments. underrepresented people including stakeholders from public and private facing. According to Infantino, the disabled, youth and women sectors, civil society and academia to football means economic growth and the IMF.
On behalf of IKV: Istanbul Office Preparation for Publication Art Director Printing House: Ayhan Zeytinoğlu Esentepe Mahallesi Harman Sokak Melis Çinçinoğlu Ankara Ofset Editor -in- Chief: TOBB Plaza No: 10 Kat: 7-8 Editor Büyük Sanayi 1. Cadde
Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas 34394 Levent Istanbul/Türkiye Belma Özgen Necatibey İş Hanı Alt Kat No:
5 6 General Director
9 1 Graphic Designer Editorial Directors: Tel: +90 212 270 93 00 Levent Akbay 93/43-44 Yeliz Şahin Faks: +90 212 270 30 22 Cem Demir İskitler - Ankara / TÜRKIYE
DECEMBER 2018 No: 45 General Assistant Director N. Melis Bostanoğlu E-posta: [email protected] Umutcan Akbay
ISSUE 45 . December 2018