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Food for Thought Series: Turkey: sailing from bad to worse?

Date

01 Apr 2014 10:30 to 12:30

Address

Rue du Commerce 20
1st floor
1000  Brussels
Belgium

Section

Europe's East

Event Location

Brussels

Event Description

The Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies cordially invites you to a Food for Thought event entitled ‘Turkey: sailing from bad to worse?’

Despite Turkey’s achievements of enormous economic progress over the last decade and the initiation of a number of crucial reform packages to bring the state closer to the EU benchmarks, the government has recently been sharply criticised due to relatively poor economic growth and a corruption scandal. Moreover, President Gul has signed a law subordinating the judiciary to the executive as well as a restrictive Internet law. This is seen by many as an important indicator that Turkey is falling back from the path of democracy.

The outcome of the 30 March local elections will provide an important bellwether of the overall performance of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The general elections, which are planned for June 2015, might take place earlier, depending on the prevailing political and economic circumstances. These elections as well as the presidential elections, foreseen for August, will also have a profound impact on Turkey’s foreign relations. This discussion will analyse the current situation in the country right after the local elections and will outline possible future scenarios. 

We very much hope that you will attend.

 

Programme:

12:30-13:00       Lunch and registration

13:00-13:10       Welcome by Tomi Huhtanen, Director, Martens Centre

13:10-13:40       Key notes by:  

    Ian Lesser, Executive Director, German Marshall Fund

    Serdar Yesilyurt, Executive Director, TUSKON EU Representation

13:40-14:45       Q&A moderated by Roland FreudensteinDeputy Director and Head of Research, Martens Centre
 

Please register for the event here.

 

 

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