A delegation of European Liberals led by ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts (and including Irish Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche as well as MEPs and MPs) is currently convening in Ankara, Gaziantep and Istanbul for high level meetings with members of the Turkish government and the business community.

On 30 March European Liberals met amongst other Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu.

European Liberals were briefed in detail why Turkey successfully managed to circumvent the international financial and economic crisis and why the country is now back on a path of economic growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Babacan also elaborated that Turkish banks were already long required to hold relatively high own funds as opposed to many other American and European banks. Turkish regulations also foresee personal liability of managers, something European Liberals recently adopted in their theme resolution on economy in Barcelona in November 2009.

President Neyts also reiterated the European Liberals’ commitment to stand firm on commitments made vis-à-vis Turkey’s membership accession to the EU. In this context the delegation debated in depth current issues relating to Turkish bilateral relations with Armenia, the question of Cyprus as well as the draft amendments to the Turkish constitution.