Turkish Foreign Minister to Answer Questions at Oireachtas European Affairs Committee

Leading Turkish Government Minister, Mr Ahmet Davutoðlu will attend a meeting of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, tomorrow, (11th) at 3 pm in Committee Room 2.

Mr Davutoðlu is the Turkish Foreign Minister and has been central to the Turkish government’s role in attempting to broker peace in the Middle East. He was a particularly significant player on behalf of the Turkish government during the diplomatic effort for the settlement of 2008 Israel–Gaza conflict.

Mr Davutoðlu has also played a central role in promoting stability in the Western Balkans. Turkey is key partner together with the EU in assisting this region as it moves towards greater European integration.

The Foreign Minister is a strong advocate of Turkish membership of the European Union. He will brief the Committee on the current state of negotiations with the EU and the reform process underway in Turkey as it aligns itself with EU norms. 

Committee Chairman, Bernard Durkan TD said;
“The Committee is looking forward to a robust exchange of views with Mr Davutoðlu. He is seen as the driving force behind Turkish foreign policy and has become a central figure in Middle East peace initiative.

Significantly, Turkey, due to its strategic location has become a significant player in both the Middle East and Balkan politics. The purpose of tomorrow’s meeting is to get an up to date picture on the latest developments in these often troubled regions.

The Committee is also keen to discuss the current state of affairs in relation to Turkey’s application for EU membership and to hear how Turkey plans to address some of the impediments that currently exist in the ongoing negotiations.”

The Committee can be viewed on line at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

ENDS

Daniel English
Oireachtas Communications Unit 
01 618 4484
087 6949926
daniel.english@oireachtas.ie

The full membership of the Committee is:  
Bernard Durkan, TD, Chairman (Fine Gael)
Timmy Dooley, TD Vice Chairman (Fianna Fáil)  
Thomas Byrne, TD (Fianna Fáil)  
Joe Costello, TD, (Labour)  
Lucinda Creighton, TD (Fine Gael)  
Pat Breen TD, (Fine Gael)
Michael Mulcahy TD, (Fianna Fáil)  
Mary O'Rourke, TD (Fianna Fáil)  
Beverley Flynn, TD (Fianna Fáil)  
Sean Power, TD (Fianna Fáil)
Billy Timmins, TD (Fine Gael)  
Joanna Tuffy, TD, (Labour)
Noel Treacy TD, (Fianna Fáil) 
Senator Pearse Doherty (Sinn Féin)  
Senator Rónán Mullen, (Independent)  
Senator Phil Prendergast, (Labour)
Senator Paschal Donohoe, (Fine Gael)
Senator Terry Leyden, (Fianna Fáil)  
Senator John Hanifan, (Fianna Fáil)  
Senator Maurice Cummins, (Fine Gael)