ANP - Ararat News & Publishing

EU-Kurds Friendship Group established

Ararat News-Publishing (ANP) – Brussels, Fiona Lorin and Roni Alasor, 18 Juni 2010 - The first constitutive meeting of the "European Parliament - Kurds Friendship Group" took place yesterday in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The aim of the Group is to monitor the political process in Turkey, especially in regard of the peaceful solution of the Kurdish issue. In the prospect of future accession of Turkey to the EU, the European Parliament will fully support the democratisation of the country and the fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria.

Among the creators of the initiative were Members of the European Parliament (MEP) from four political groups and eight countries. The Group of Greens–European Free Alliance was represented by Jose BOVE (France), Helene FLAUTRE (France), Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN (France) and Bart STAES (Belgium). Among the members of European United Left–Nordic Green Left were Soren Bo SONDERGAARD (Denmark), Dennis DE JONG (Netherlands), Jurgen KLUTE (Germany) and Nikos CHOUNTIS (Greece). The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats was represented by Katarina NEVEDALOVA (Slovakia) and Ismail ERTUG (Germany). From Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe participated Baroness Sarah LUDFORD (UK) and Alexandra THEIN (Germany).

Other MEPs, as well as MEP ALFONSI Francois (G-EFA, France), MEP Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, France) and MEP Bairbre DE BRUN (GUE/NGL, Ireland) sent a message and they expressed their interest to follow the events of the Group and are expected to join soon. MEP Frieda BREPOELS (G-EFA, Belgium) is also expected to join the group.

During the first meeting, there were suggested several start initiatives. The Members of the Group are planning to organise a delegation to Turkey and to the Kurdistan region (including Federal Kurdistan – Iraq) and to participate in the organisation of the annual conference on "EU, Turkey and the Kurds" planned for next 17th and 18th November 2010. The Kurdish Friendship Group in the EP will also monitor closely the approaching national elections in Turkey next year and will contribute to the participation of the Kurdish party BDP in the political solution of the Kurdish issue. The Members will also monitor the rights of the Kurds in Iran, Syria and Iraq, including their proposals for a solution to conflicts.

"European Parliament - Kurds Friendship Group" is not the first for the European Parliament. It also existed under the previous legislatures. The next meeting of the Group is scheduled for 22 September 2010 in Strasbourg.