Egemen Bağış Delivered the Opening Speech at the European Movement Istanbul Congress

The European Movement, chaired by Pat Cox, held its annual conference on February 11-12 in Istanbul.

European Movement Istanbul Congress carried in partnership with the Third Sector Foundation (TUSEV), is sponsored by the European Commission and the Secretariat General for EU Affairs.

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ gave a welcome reception in honour of the participants in the evening of 10th February. Stefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, and Pat Cox, the Former President of European Parliament also attended to the reception.

In the reception, Minister Bağıþ said that he was very happy to host his guests in Istanbul, namely, his electoral district, and that it was considerably meaningful for Istanbul, as the furthest west of east and the furthest east of west, to host the European Movement Istanbul Congress.

After the reception, Minister Bağıþ came together with Stefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy at a working dinner.

Minister Bağıþ also delivered a speech in the opening session of the Congress, which has been attended by 400 representatives of both Turkish and European Civil Society Organizations.

Minister Bağıþ stated that "Civil society organizations and NGOs are pivotal actors of democratization process as they are the platforms giving chance to different voices and opinions for circulation and widespread debate."

Minister Bağıþ also had a meeting with Staffan Nilsson, President of European Economic and Social Committee.