The European Parliament is set to host the 18th International Conference on European Union, Turkey, and the Kurds organised by the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) on 6-7 December 2023.
The conference will feature prominent speakers, academics, and policymakers who will delve into critical issues shaping the region.
The EUTCC announced the programme of its 18th International Conference on Saturday. The opening session will include speeches and greetings from key figures, including EUTCC Chair Kariane Westrheim, EP Vice-chair Dimitrios Papadimoulis, and MEP Andreas Schieder.
The first panel will focus on ‘Post-election Turkey’. Moderated by Ayça Çubukçu, topics will include an analysis of the May 2023 elections, the state of democracy in Turkey, and the role of the opposition. Notable speakers include Michael Gunter and Aslı Erdoğan.
The second day will kick off with a panel on ‘100 Years of the Treaty of Lausanne’, exploring the historical and political impact of the treaty. Discussions will be led Hans-Lukas Kieser and Brando Benifei, among others.
Following that, a panel on the ‘Transition Period in World Politics’ will discuss topics such as ecocide, climate change, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. Notable speakers include Şermin Güven and Asya Abdullah.
A panel on ‘Lasting Peace: Raising Voices’ will focus on human rights and conditions on İmralı Island Prison. Speakers include Raziye Öztürk, one of Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers, and EUTCC member Dersim Dağdeviren.
The conference will also feature a panel on ‘Living Freedom – Women’s Perspectives’, highlighting feminist foreign policy, women’s revolution, and the role of women in politics.
The final panel will tackle ‘the European Union and Turkey: Cooperation and Contradictions’, featuring an interview with European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor.