EP president addresses Turkish parliament

ANKARA (A.A) - European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said on Thursday that across the Eastern Mediterranean, not just in Syria, there were multiple flashpoints, and the EU looked to Turkey to help stabilise the region. Buzek addressed the Turkish parliament and said, "before I start, I would like to offer my condolences and words of solidarity to the people of Turkey. Our thoughts are with those who have lost so much in the two earthquakes that struck Van province and who continue to suffer. But the earthquake also gave me hope. I was deeply moved by the solidarity for the inhabitants of Van, by the aid packages sent by fellow citizens, but also the convoys of volunteers who drove hundreds of kilometres across the country to help the survivors. The EU also will continue to be there to help you where it can. We have activated our European Civil Protection Mechanism just hours after the earthquake. You are not alone!" "As a representative of the EU, I arrived in Turkey at a difficult time in our bilateral negotiations. Turkey's accession negotiations have been in a stalemate for many months, I am sure we can make steps forward it would be preferable and profitable solution for both sides," he said. Buzek said Turkey had a lot to offer the international community, stating that but it was essential that Turkey and the EU work together to better co-ordinate foreign policies of Turkey and the EU. "I am honoured to speak in this chamber, a monument to Turkey's strong democratic traditions, reformist and progressive politics and to the amazing achievements in recent decades," he said. "Turkey has much to be proud of. Your economy has tripled in size over the past decade. You have introduced important social reforms, such as the expansion of healthcare to cover the whole population. Your secular democracy has become an inspiration for millions across Northern Africa and the Middle East seeking freedom from the authoritarian rule," he said. Buzek said thanks to existing agreements and policies, Turkey and the EU have developed extraordinarily strong economic and political bonds of great strategic importance. "We make up almost 50% of your trade, 80% of Foreign Direct Investment. And EU enterprises have created more than 13,000 businesses in Turkey," he said. "But our co-operation is not limited to just politics or business. Our education and cultural contacts are at an impressive level. Close to 40,000 citizens of Turkey participate every year in EU-affiliated exchange programmes. We are bringing our peoples closer. And we can do more. It is my strong hope that the EU Commission's agenda will give new momentum to our partnership. From increasing integration to foreign policy issues, but also to issues such as counter-terrorism, trade and progress towards easing visa requirements," he said. "In recent months your leadership has stressed Turkey's support for the struggle for freedom across the North Africa and the Middle East. Many in the Middle East regard you as a source of inspiration of a successfully modernising society. Prime Minister Erdogan was the first Muslim leader to tell Egypt's Hosni Mubarak to step down," he said. "Your leaders have travelled to Egypt, Libya and Tunisia to promote the adoption of a constitution that secures secularism. And, more recently, you opened your doors, and hearts, to the Syrian opposition," he said. "As a Pole, I remember that it was Turkey who created a safe-haven in Adampol - or Polonezkoy - for Polish soldiers after our November Uprising in the 19th century. Today you show a similar act of solidarity to the opponents of the Assad regime. However, in light of the situation in Syria, I hope that we can harmonise our policies. I know from my own experiences that a falling dictatorship is both dangerous and unpredictable. Across the Eastern Mediterranean, not just in Syria, there are multiple flashpoints. And we look to Turkey to help stabilise the region," he said.