What the EUTCC does
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 supports Turkey’s bid for EU accession, but only insofar as it meets the conditions for membership as defined by the accession agreements. In particular, it must demonstrate that it has achieved the condition of “stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities” as required by the EU’s Copenhagen Criteria for membership.
Thus the EUTCC seeks to ensure that the accession process is used to achieve respect for human and minority rights in Turkey, as well as a peaceful, just and democratic solution to the Kurdish situation.
The EUTCC monitors the European Commission's performance in ensuring Turkey's full compliance with the accession criteria, as defined within the meaning of the accession agreements, and conducts regular audits to that end. It disseminates accurate and objective information to EU institutions, other governmental and nongovernmental organizations and to the public in Turkey and the EU in order to bring attention both to the progress Turkey has made and the shortcomings that persist. It also seeks to play a positive role in the negotiation process by making recommendations and acting as a point of contact for the parties involved.
The annual conference brings together contributors from all over the world including leading academics, writers, legal experts, human rights organisations, and prominent Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals. The goal of the conference is to exchange information and ideas, and to produce resolutions and recommendations to advance the EUTCC’s aims and activities. |