The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) has organized the 7th International Conference on the “EU, Turkey and the Kurds” at the EU Parliament in Brussels. The purpose of the conference, which opens this afternoon, is to assess the current status of Turkey’s EU accession process in light of recent developments concerning the Kurdish situation in Turkey.

Specifically, prominent speakers from Turkey and several other involved states and groups will address “Turkish-Kurdish dialogue: the only route to peace”;  “The impact of the present conflict on civil society and the future politics of solutions"  and “Conflict resolution: engaging in political dialogue and peace building.”

The current political situation in Turkey regarding the Kurds concerns the renewed attempt to restart last year’s failed Kurdish (Democratic Initiative) and the run-up to next year’s national parliamentary elections which will then lead to an attempt to write a new Turkish constitution which, among others, will seek to implement Kurdish political, social, and cultural rights within the context of Turkish territorial integrity.

The EUTCC hopes that this conference will help renew Turkey’s stalled EU accession process by suggesting positive ways for that state to help solve its continuing Kurdish problem in co-operation with the Kurdish legitimate partners.