Timed to coincide with the run up to the publication of the European Commission’s progress report on the accession negotiations, due out on 8th November, a delegation from the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Committee on European Integration, together with representatives from the Turkish Democracy Foundation visited the European Capital.
The delegation included Ali Rıza Alaboyun Deputy President of the EU Harmonization Commission, Afif Demirkıran, member of the EU Harmonization Commission and Hakan Akbulut, Special Advisor and Foreign Affairs Counselor to the EU Harmonization Commission.
Thedelegation attended a number of events. A round table discussion was hosted by the European Policy Centre where a number of actors with an interest in the negotiations participated. This was an opportunity for the delegation to put forward the Turkish perspective on the issues surrounding the accession process and to hear the views being expressed by those in Europe.
A visit to the European Commision to hold talks with Mr Jean-Christophe Filori, Private member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Rehn and Mr Pierre Mirel Director of the Directorate General, Enlargement was also arranged. The EC visit was followed by an informal lunch with members of the EC’s Turkish Unit. The delegation also attended at the European Parliament to hold talks with Joost Lagendijk, Chairman, Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee.
At the end of the visit Hakan Akbulut reported that this was an extremely positive visit with an important contribution to the acession process and the progress report having been made.
