Government strengthens support to reforms in Turkey

"Turkey's future membership of the EU remains the strongest incentive for further democratic reforms in the country. Through this new strategy, Sweden is strengthening its support to the development of closer relations between Turkey and the EU. The measures in this strategy will be an important contribution to the reform efforts needed for Turkey to fully meet the criteria for EU membership, particularly within such areas as democracy, human rights and gender equality," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Sweden's development cooperation with Turkey is to help it achieve the goal of reform cooperation in eastern Europe: strengthened democracy, equitable and sustainable development, and closer ties to the EU and its basic values. The support will be targeted at areas requiring the greatest reforms before Turkish EU membership, and will be strengthened through a dialogue with Turkey on issues such as deeper EU integration, gender equality and women's participation in the democratic development of society, and freedom of expression. The needs of the least developed geographical regions of Turkey must be taken into account.

"Turkey is an important partner for Sweden in many areas, and Turkish EU membership is strategically important for the EU. Several challenges remain in the accession process, with a further need for reform in such areas as public administration and the legal system. Sweden is in a position to provide support in connection with these needs and can help strengthen civil society by supporting organisations working for the rights of minorities and other groups in need," continues Ms Carlsson.

During the period 2010-2013, Swedish development cooperation will increase from the current SEK 45 million to around SEK 87 million per year, and will supplement measures within the framework of EU Pre-Accession Assistance. Sida and the section for Turkish-Swedish cooperation at the Consulate-General in Istanbul will be primarily responsible for implementing the strategy.

Sida manages the major part of the cooperation, while the section for Turkish-Swedish cooperation primarily works on contributing to Turkey's general debate on such concepts as democracy, human rights, gender equality and culture.

Sweden's broad commitment to Turkey also includes academic cooperation administered by the Swedish Institute. Grant programmes provide Turkish students with the opportunity to study human rights and European studies in Sweden. Swedish students are also given the opportunity to conduct 'minor field studies' in Turkey.

Background

Sweden enjoys close political cooperation with Turkey as a result of its support for Turkish EU membership and a long relationship based on reciprocity and trust. Sweden's cooperation to promote capacity development has been described by Turkish actors and other partners as valuable, sustainable and balanced.

To promote closer relations between Turkey and the EU and to deepen bilateral relations between Sweden and Turkey, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, together with Sida and the Consulate-General in Istanbul, initiated a special Turkey Programme in 2005. This programme included a range of activities, both for promotion and for creating inter-people exchanges, which were provided via development cooperation.

The programme was based on increased development cooperation to support the continued democracy process and human rights. To encourage broad involvement among people in the two countries, NGOs, associations, local authorities, agencies and others were offered support towards cooperation with Turkey. The programme also contained more extensive Turkish-Swedish exchange between cultural and academic institutions, and a special initiative was taken to highlight the Swedish business sector and Swedish companies within the framework of business promotion activities at the Embassy in Ankara and the Swedish Trade Council.

Extensive parliamentary exchange is also underway between Sweden and Turkey. There is considerable interest in Turkey in the Riksdag and several parliamentary delegations have visited the country in recent years. The Turkish-Swedish friends group is the largest in the Turkish parliament. The new strategy entails a further step forward in the good cooperation existing between Sweden and Turkey.