Thread by @viaduct_eu

The #VIADUCT_EU Policy Debate is about to start!

Join us to discuss the topic "Pouring Oil on Troubled Waters: Bridge-Building in EU-Turkey Relations" with Bernard Brunet, Fuat Keyman, @FundaTekin17, and @ilketoygur

#Zoom in or stay tuned here for the highlights!

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Our moderator @ilketoygur from @rielcano begins the debate by setting the scene of EU-Turkey relations in the context of current crises in the Mediterranean, recent developments demonstrating an unsustainable scenario, and the current "watershed moment"

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.@ilketoygur introduces our panel: first is Bernard Brunet, Head of Turkey Unit at @eu_near/@EU_Commission

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Bernard Brunet from @eu_near highlights three core points:

1) Disproportionate reference to foreign policy
2) Turkish domestic development according to accession pillars continue to deteriorate
3) Some positivity in other areas gives potential opportunities

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"What matters in the context of Turkey being a candidate country is what Turkey is doing to meet the accession criteria: this is the main focus of the @EU_Commission's work"

- Bernard Brunet from @eu_near

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"Concerns on rule of law and fundamental rights are very well known already. Higher courts in Turkey give judgements which are not implemented by lower courts, undermining the whole architecture of the legal system"

- Bernard Brunet from @eu_near

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"We have actually upgraded Turkey in one area, so there is potential for further development in a positive agenda"

- Bernard Brunet from @eu_near

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"Quite a lot of possibilities, but all these depend on the speed and scale of domestic reforms. And without the scope for reforms in these areas, things cannot progress"

- Bernard Brunet from @eu_near

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Fuat Keyman from @ipc_ipm/@sabanciu is our next speaker, who starts by delineating "at least two or three approaches that differ from one another"

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"It is interesting that in addition to the general criticisms that Turkey faces, we have seen the frequent use of unilateralism which is incompatible with the EU's general foreign policy approach"

- Fuat Keyman from @ipc_ipm/@sabanciu

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"From different cities, from opposition movements and parties, we see a very different attitude towards Europe than from the government"

- Fuat Keyman from @ipc_ipm/@sabanciu

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"Soft power, diplomacy, dialogue, is much more promising than hard power"

- Fuat Keyman from @ipc_ipm/@sabanciu finishes his initial contribution

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Our next guest is @FundaTekin17, co-director of @IEP_Berlin, Board Member of @tepsaeu, part of the Jean Monnet Chair of Political Science at @UniCologne, to give us the perspective from Berlin

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"If we look at the full picture, we are looking at a situation of conflictual cooperation, and the relationship will remain one of conflictual cooperation in the near future"

- @FundaTekin17 (@IEP_Berlin/@tepsaeu/@UniCologne/#VIADUCT_EU)

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"Germany cannot act alone, but can be seen as an honest broker given its status among the Member States, but another possible approach is a "good cop/bad cop" within a Brussels/Berlin/Paris triangle"

- @FundaTekin17 (@IEP_Berlin/@tepsaeu/@UniCologne/#VIADUCT_EU)

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"With the modernisation of the Customs Union, the narrative is that if you find a positive cooperation, it can be a sweetener. This narrative needs to change because Turkey is not just Erdogan"

- @FundaTekin17 (@IEP_Berlin/@tepsaeu/@UniCologne/#VIADUCT_EU)

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Our moderator @ilketoygur now opens the floor to a panel discussion after our first presentations. This is your opportunity to get your own questions into the chat!

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We're enjoying a captivating Q&A session at the Policy Debate, where we have a number of contributions from our audience - make sure to get involved!

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A notification from out moderator, @rielcano's @ilketoygur:

These are the last minutes you can contribute to the discussion by asking a question, so get them into the chat or use the "raise your hand" function while you still can!

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On that note the Policy Debate closes at the #VIADUCT_EU Online Conference

@ilketoygur (@rielcano) gives the floor to @UniCologne's Wolfgang Wessels to conclude the conference

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"I am about to dissapoint you, because I have no concluding remarks, only a second set of opening remarks for further research, cooperation, and work in the future"

- Wolfgang Wessels (@UniCologne/#VIADUCT_EU)

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As @UniCologne's Wolfgang Wessels bids us farewell from the #VIADUCT_EU Online Conference, @FundaTekin17 gives her thanks as VIADUCT Director, encouraging us to keep in touch and in collaboration on EU-Turkey relations

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We hope you enjoyed the #VIADUCT Online Conference Policy Debate and Concluding Remarks, and indeed to rest of the #VIADUCT_EU Online Conference

Thanks in particular to @ilketoygur, Bernard Brunet, Fuat Keyman, and @FundaTekin17 for this last Policy Debate

/ENDS

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