In Ankara, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and the Swedish Minister for Economic Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell, met with Turkish authorities on Wednesday 22 February to discuss the needs of the earthquake-affected country in preparation for the international donors’ conference on 16 March in Brussels, which is being co-hosted to benefit the affected populations in Turkey and Syria (see EUROPE 13126/14).
They met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and several members of the government, including the Ministers of Finance and Industry and Technology - an opportunity to reiterate the EU’s solidarity and determination to contribute to the short- and long-term reconstruction efforts, beyond the ongoing urgent humanitarian assistance (see EUROPE 13124/10).
“We are here to help, because we care, because we are friends and because we are allies”, Mr Várhelyi told the Turkish press, assuring that for the Commission “solidarity with Turkey is paramount”. Given the scale of the needs, of which he still has only estimates, the Commissioner stressed that the assistance already provided by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the €5.5 million in humanitarian funding for the most urgent immediate needs were only a first step.
“We need to do much more. Our assistance will be with you all the way”, he assured, stressing that in view of the “huge reconstruction operation” that will be required, the donors’ conference aimed to raise funds from the international community for the long term. In this respect, he stressed the importance of early reconstruction starting as soon as possible on the ground.
“We (the Commission) are ready to participate in building new houses, new schools, new hospitals, new nurseries so that normal life can return to these regions”, the Commissioner stressed.
Asked by a Turkish journalist whether this solidarity will have positive effects on EU-Turkey relations, Olivér Várhelyi replied: “Turkey is a friend and an ally. If this leads to a reinforced partnership with Turkey, so much the better”.
“Supporting Turkey and the people of Syria after the earthquakes is a top priority”, for the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council, Johan Forssell added. He emphasised “the close ties between Sweden and Turkey, humanly, economically and politically, like many European countries”. He said there was huge potential for reconstruction, investment and trade for the companies that had shown great interest in helping Turkey immediately after the 6 February earthquake.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu thanked the EU and the international community for their support so far and for further support to come. He stressed that “as an EU candidate country, Turkey is in a position to benefit from the solidarity of the EU and the IPCR” (Integrated Political Crisis Response of the EU Council). Future funds will help finance assistance for the victims of the earthquake and for the infrastructure to be repaired, the minister said.
“One of the things we agreed on is that such cooperation and assistance should be sustainable, sufficient and flexible, because we will need to rebuild many cities”, Mr Çavuşoğlu said, citing Antakya and some districts in Hatay and Gaziantep in particular. For the time being, the need for tents is not yet fully covered, but such shelters are only a stopgap solution, he stressed. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)