The 16the International Conference titled “The European Union, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds” will open today at European Parliament in Brussels.

The annual conference is organised by European Union Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with the Kurdish Institute of Brussels and will see the participation of several political parties representatives and renowned individuals.

The conference is supported by European United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), the Greens/EFA and Socialists and Democrats (S&D).

The opening speeches and greetings are to be held today at 14.30, after which the program will continue as follows:

Panel: “Oppression and Resistance in Turkey” moderated by Joost Jongreden, University of Wageningen, EUTCC board member, Netherlands. The speakers include: Mr Benoit Biteau, MEP, Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), France, The Centre of Power and The Opposition in Turkey, Republican People's Party (CHP) Representatives were invited, Turkey, Opposition Between Unity and Division, Mr. Cihangir Islam, MP, Felicity Party (SP), Turkey

Turkey 2023: Dictatorship vs. Democracy, with Ms. Gülistan Koçyiğit, MP, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Turkey.

The second panel will discuss “The EU - Turkey Relationship: Accession Talks, Refugee Crisis and The Kurds” from 17.00 to 18.30 will be moderated by Prof. Cengiz Aktar, Political Scientist.

Key Point Imrali: The Power for Freedom with Ms. Newroz Uysal, Lawyer, Asrın Law Office, Turkey

The second day of the conference, Thursday will begin with a panel from 09.30 to 10:30 titled “The Middle East in The Context of Turkey’s Invasion into North-Eastern Syria / Rojava” moderated by Ms. Evin Incir, MEP Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Sweden.

The following panel from 11:00 to 12:00 will discuss “The Turkish Invasion in Rojava and The Impact on Women and Gender Equality”, moderated by Ms. Maria Eugenía Rodríguez Palop, MEP, European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), Spain.

This will be followed by interviews with Representatives of Democratic Federation of Northern and East Syria; Ms. Seham Kerio, Ms. Parwin Yousef and Ms. Jihan Khudro.

The next panel from 12.00 to 13.00 will be moderated by Mr. Jürgen Klute, Former MEP, Germany and discuss “Europe and the Middle East: Self-Interest Versus Democracy”.

The following panel “There Are Alternatives!” from 15.00 to 16.00 will be moderated by Mr. Wladimir van Wilgenburg, Journalist, Netherlands.

Democracy in War Time: How a Society Reorganises Itself and Offers Perspectives Beyond the Middle East

Local Solutions to Global Challenges - Living International Solidarity

Mr. Juan Carlos Guerra Moldonado, Historian, Equador

The closing session from 16.15 to 17.00 will witness the presentation of Conclusions, Recommendations and Final Resolution with the participation of Board of EUTCC, Dersim Dağdeviren, Germany, Michael Gunter, US, Joost Jongerden, Netherlands, Thomas J. Miley, UK, Estella Schmid, UK, Kariane Westrheim, Norway.