Home FEATURED Kader Sevinç: “We’re confident about the future of a democratic Turkiye in Europe”–

Kader Sevinç: “We’re confident about the future of a democratic Turkiye in Europe”–

by EUToday Correspondents
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Kader Sevinç, EU Envoy of the Turkish president frontrunner, main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: “We’re confident about the future of a democratic Turkiye in Europe!”

Kader Sevinç, Head of the Rebuplican People’s Party (CHP) Representation to the EU and a Presidency Member of the Party of European Socialists (PES), has articulated a confident vision for Turkiye’s prospective accession to the EU and successful conclusion of visa liberalisation process. Our six-party coalition bloc, Nation Alliance’s roadmap outlines a vision for democratic transformation following the pivotal 2023 elections on Sunday.

Sevinç, the CHP’s EU envoy based in Brussels, asserts that the Nation Alliance coalition, under the leadership of presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, is prepared to “transform Turkiye into a true European democracy.” The PES, as the second-largest political family represented in the EU, expressed its support in a separate press release to Kılıçdaroğlu’s pledge to fast-track the EU visa liberalisation process for Turkish citizens.

PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said, “Ahead of Turkiye’s decisive elections next Sunday, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, CHP and the united opposition represent a beacon of hope for democracy, human rights, freedom, cooperation and bringing Turkiye closer to Europe. We support all steps that can bring the country closer to the fundamental values that we share.”

Sevinç emphasises the coalition’s intention to prioritise democratisation and the rule of law, strengthen ties with EU institutions and member states, swiftly complete the EU visa liberalisation process for Turkish citizens, revitalise EU membership negotiations, and implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. She also highlights Turkiye’s desire to become a more credible NATO member, thereby contributing to the security and stability of Europe in the midst of geopolitical and economic instability.

The Nation Alliance coalition and its largest member CHP are committed to meeting the EU’s 72 visa liberalisation criteria, with frontrunner joint presidential candidate Kılıçdaroğlu vowing to fulfil the remaining five benchmarks within the first three months of the government. These include adopting measures to prevent corruption, aligning legislation on personal data and anti-terror law with EU standards, concluding an operational cooperation agreement with Europol, and offering effective judicial cooperation in criminal matters to all EU member states.

“It is in this spirit that we are pleased to count on the CHP and on Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership to continue progressing towards the achievement of the remaining – and very critical – criteria for the visa liberalisation. For us European social democrats and progressives, Turkiye is a crucial partner. We support all steps that can bring the country closer to the fundamental values that we share” said PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck.

The main opposition party CHP has maintained a representative office to the EU in Brussels since 2008, with the mission of actively contributing to the multidimensional and pluralistic communication channels of EU-Turkiye relations and the EU accession framework, while maintaining high-level contacts with the EU and actively participating in PES meetings.

“Sunday’s elections in Turkiye are a historic opportunity for our citizens to elect a fully democratic government. Due to its potential impact on the Western world, it is also considered as the most significant election in Europe in 2023. We will establish a democratic and prosperous Turkiye, a respected member of the international community and an EU accession country.

“We shall show that elections may peacefully change an authoritarian government through democratic means despite all the unjust conditions and ongoing oppression against the opposition. Thus, Turkiye will inspire other nations fighting autocratic regimes. We played this role before. Recall that our Republic’s and CHP’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, inspired reformers across Europe and the world. Secularism and popular will underpinned the Republic of Turkiye, which inspired many democratic activists”, Sevinç concluded.

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