The EU-Turkey Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee established in 1995 is composed of members from the EESC and members representing organised civil society in Turkey. Its objective is to contribute to the dialogue among civil society organisations in Turkey and the EU and to issue reports and recommendations to the Turkish authorities and the EU institutions. The JCC discusses a wide range of topics, including cooperation between Turkey and the EU in various areas such as migration, energy, small and medium-sized enterprises and vocational training. This meeting will focus on "Disaster management - How can Turkey and the EU work together?" and "The Green Economy" - as well as other topics such as the "modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union".
The EU-Turkey Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee established in 1995 is composed of members from the EESC and members representing organised civil society in Turkey. Its objective is to contribute to the dialogue among civil society organisations in Turkey and the EU and to issue reports and recommendations to the Turkish authorities and the EU institutions.
The discussions at this JCC meeting will focus on "the state of EU-Turkey relations and the role of civil society". Members will listen to presentations from Mr Margaritis Schinas, European Commission Vice-President with responsibility for migration and protecting our European way of life, on the topic of "the EU and its neighbours after the pandemic: recovery, resilience and cooperation"; and from Mr Faruk Kaymakçı, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Director for EU Affairs on "Re-energising EU-Turkey relations during and post pandemic period".
The EU-Turkey Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee was established in 1995, based on the mandate given by the Ankara Agreement. This body is composed of members from the EESC and members representing organised civil society in Turkey. Its objective is to contribute to the dialogue among civil society organisations in Turkey and the EU and to issue reports and recommendations to the Turkish authorities and the EU institutions.
The discussions at this JCC meeting will include the EU-Turkey relations and the meeting will focus in particular on "Trade development and investment environment for SMEs - Opportunities between the EU and Turkey" and "Civil society organisations, including the social partners, and Turkey-EU Accession Process". Other topics on the programme are "The modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union" and "The visa dialogue".
The EU-Turkey Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee was established in 1995, based on the mandate given by the Ankara Agreement. This body is composed of members from the EESC and members representing organised civil society in Turkey. Its objective is to contribute to the dialogue among civil society organisations in Turkey and the EU and to issue reports and recommendations to the Turkish authorities and the EU institutions.
Among the many topics to be discussed at this JCC meeting: The EU-Turkey relations, the rôle of Turkey in the refugee crisis, the Enhancement of EU-Turkey bilateral trade relations and modernisation of the Customs Union, the Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean.
Turkey’s geographical position makes it a first reception and transit country for many refugees and migrants. As the result of an unprecedented influx of people seeking refuge, the country currently hosts around 3 million registered Syrian refugees and is making commendable efforts to provide them with humanitarian aid and support. The EU is committed to assist Turkey in dealing with this challenge. The EU-Turkey Statement, which was issued on 18 March 2016, reconfirmed both parties' commitment to the implementation of the EU-Turkey joint action plan activated on 29 November 2015.
A hearing will be organized by the EESC to examine different aspects of protection which Turkey offers to refugees, from the point of view of civil society organisations (CSOs). Particular attention will be devoted to evaluating economic, social and humanitarian conditions of refugees in the country and new areas of cooperation will be explored.
The EU-Turkey Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee was established in 1995, based on the mandate given by the Ankara Agreement. This body is composed of members from the EESC and members representing organised civil society in Turkey. Its objective is to contribute to the dialogue among civil society organisations in Turkey and the EU and to issue reports and recommendations to the Turkish authorities and the EU institutions.
The following topics were discussed at this JCC meeting: the state of play of the EU-Turkey relations and the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement; the state of the economy in Turkey and the EU-Turkey economic developments; social issues including employment and women rights in Turkey.
The meeting was conclude with the adoption of a joint declaration.
The EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) brings together representatives of organised civil society from the EU and Turkey. It complements the other bodies set up within the framework of the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey and enables civil society organisations from both sides to monitor the accession negotiations and initiate debates on issues of common interest. Its members come from various economic and social interest groups. This is the 35th meeting and it took place in Ankara.
