Turkish NGO’s protested the lack of any Turkish entity in the opening speeches and the rountable discussions
European Union (Supporting The Future of Syria and the Region) conference organised in Brussels with the participation of around 700 NGO representatives mainly Syrians from the Middle East region and INGO’s from western countries.
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Mr Janez Lenarčič and Director Neighbourhood South and Turkiye Mr Francisco Joaquin Gaztelu Mezquiriz were the main speakers at the opening ceremony.
Both officials stated that the EU provided 33 billion Euros in assistance since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in order to provide better conditions for the host countries of Syrian refugees and help those countries to tackle the burden that refugee influx generated.
At the opening ceremony and Presentation of The Outcomes of the Civil Society Consultations there was no presence of Turkish representatives and all focus was on Jordan and Lebanon.
International Blue Crescent (IBC) Vice President Muzaffer Baca made an intervention and asked about the reason why there is no Turkish voice in the opening speeches as well as at the six rountable discussions.
After the intervention of Mr Baca, EU Director Neighbourhood South and Turkiye Mr Mezquiz explained about the good practices of the Turkish state and NGO’s in short.
During the rountable discussions, most of the Syrian originated NGO representatives like the representative of Olive Branch based in Turkey criticized the new deportation policy of the Turkish Government.
Discussions were on monology basis ignoring Turkey's efforts to accommodate and integrate around 4 million Syrian refugees, which reflects 5% of the entire population.
ASAM Representative Mr Ibrahim Kavlak intervened to the discussions asking about what was the opinion of the participating NGO’s about EU contribution and policies to solve the problem. Most of the speakers agreed that EU's main policy is to keep the refugees in the hosting three countries Turkiye, Jordan and Lebanon and continue the limited assistance that provides to those countries.
The civil society community representatives stated that poverty education and health issues must be in priority among the sector that get support and EU funding to be canalized unrestricted and a much bigger volume to the regional government and NGOs
It was a voice for the deafs.
