Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the  Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Civil society dialogue between the EU and candidate countries (COM(2005) 290 final)
Date: 2005-10-27
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: Türkiye, accession to the European Union, deepening of the European Union, enlargement of the Union

3.2.2006

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Communication from the
Commission to the Council,
the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Civil society dialogue between the EU and candi-
date countries’

the European Parliament,

(COM(2005) 290 final)

(2006/C 28/22)

On 29 June 2005, the European Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social
Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned
proposal.

The Section for External Relations, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the
subject, adopted its opinion on 10 October 2005. The rapporteur was Mr Pezzini.

At its 421st plenary session, held on 26 and 27 October 2005 (meeting of 27 October), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 99 votes to 5 with 9 abstentions.

1. Summary of the Communication

1.1
Experience drawn from the enlargements so far has
shown that the general public had been poorly informed and
prepared during the run-up to enlargements. With a view to
the EU's future work, dialogue with civil society, the so-called
third pillar (1), needs to be improved.

The strengthening of dialogue between civil societies

1.2
must be driven by the following objectives:

— strengthening

contacts

experience
between all sectors of civil society in the Member States
and candidate countries;

and exchanges of

— deepening the knowledge and understanding of the candi-
date countries within the European Union, particularly their
culture and history, with a view to highlighting the oppor-
tunities and challenges presented by future enlargements;

— deepening the knowledge and understanding of the Euro-
pean Union within the candidate countries, particularly the
values upon which it is founded, its functioning and poli-
cies;

— civil society has been defined in various ways. The Commis-
sion has opted for the broadest and most inclusive defini-
tion as put forward by the EESC: all organisational structures
whose members have objectives and responsibilities that are of
general interest and who also act as mediators between the public
authorities and citizens (2).

1.3
The Commission has outlined a strategic framework
which envisages strengthening ongoing action including the
decade-long experience of the European Economic and Social
Committee, and proposes new measures to strengthen and
deepen the current process.

(1) The first pillar comprises reform policy; the second pillar accession

negotiations; the third, dialogue between civil societies.

(2) Social partners (trade unions and employer organisations); in broad
terms, those organisations which represent the social and economic
players (eg. consumer associations); NGOs; grass root associations
(eg. family and youth associations); religious communities and the
media and chambers of commerce.

1.3.1
The following programmes are mentioned in the
context of stepping up action in Croatia and Turkey: Socrates,
Leonardo, Youth, the Jean Monnet, Marie Curie and Culture
actions and the media. A programme aimed at NGOs and
other civil society organisations is expected to be developed.

1.3.2
As far as future action is concerned, the Communica-
tion, while emphasising that it is civil society that will draw
upon its experience and develop new programmes, recom-
mends the following:

— a long-term partnership between the NGOs, social partners
and professional organisations that will be eligible for Com-
munity financing;

— close links between women's rights organisations;

— setting up of a EU/Turkey Business Council;

— new town-twinning arrangements between local commu-

nities;

— youth, university and professional exchanges;

— cultural exchanges;

— enhanced participation in Community programmes on

culture and the media;

— enhanced language training;

— promotion of public debates, particularly online;

— exchanges of experience and sensitising journalists;

— dialogue between churches and different religions.

1.3.3 Where applicable, visas
supplied at short notice.

should be simplified and

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In order

1.4
the programme on social
dialogue, an investment of approximately EUR 40 million is
planned. In the EESC's opinion, this figure is rather low.

to implement

Cooperation

2.7
particularly
between Christians and Muslims, should also be promoted and
supported.

different

between

faiths,

2. Comments

2.1
The European Commission document title suggests a
dialogue with all candidate countries, however, except for a
brief mention of Croatia, the Communication is almost exclu-
sively devoted to Turkey.

In the EESC's view, it would have been useful to extend

2.2
the topic to Croatia, Serbia and the Western Balkans (3).

2.3
Turkey occupies a strategic position to the south of the
Mediterranean and thus also forms part of the Euro Mediterra-
nean policy. It would be useful for the Commission to clarify
the characteristics and specificities of this dual role.

2.4 Workers and businesses from the candidate countries
have been members of European representative bodies (ETUC,
UNICE, UEAPME and EUROCHAMBRES) since the 1990s; they
have participated in the various stages of social dialogue, and
Turkey, in particular, has stood out on account of its commit-
ment and enthusiasm. In the EESC's view it would be useful to
explore the impact of this commitment and experience on
Turkish trade unions and businesses.

2.5
Social dialogue, seen as a dialogue to pave the way for
accession negotiations, plays a significant role in the Com-
munity acquis and strategies and cannot be improvised. In the
EESC's view, the Commission must focus particular attention
on this kind of dialogue in order to ensure the ongoing invol-
vement of all representative bodies.

2.5.1
In Turkey there are many cultural foundations and
organisations in which young people play a significant role. In
the EESC's view, these cultural groups could represent an excel-
lent opportunity for examining common issues more closely
and highlighting the most effective instruments, thus influen-
cing the development of society.

2.5.2
Twinning arrangements between local communities,
universities and training institutions ought to be promoted and
supported as they have the capacity to ensure an ongoing
exchange of experience and encourage civil society actors to
social and
evaluate the various ways
economic issues are addressed and resolved.

in which cultural,

Similarly, dialogue on the various forms of culture

2.8
should be enhanced by all means possible.

As regards the programme on NGOs, which will soon
2.9
be published by the European Commission, the EESC hopes
that
it will provide concrete and useful proposals for a
constructive exchange of experience.

3. Measures taken by the EESC

3.1 Working in close liaison with the Commission, since
1995 the European Economic and Social Committee has set up
a series of Joint Consultative Committees (JCCs) with all the
enlargement countries.

3.2
A committee has also been set up with the ACP
(African, Caribbean and Pacific) states, which is now the
Commission's point of reference in applying the Cotonou
Agreement and managing Economic Partnership Agreements
(EPAs).

facilitating the participation of

3.3
The EESC has also set up a Latin America Follow-up
Committee which is responsible for promoting the develop-
ment of socioeconomic organisations in Latin American coun-
tries,
these organisations in
ongoing regional
integration processes (Central America, the
Andean Community, Mercosur) and ensuring that current asso-
ciation agreements and those under negotiation are followed
up.

3.4
The Euromed Committee was set up within the EESC in
the second half of the nineties to help the Commission imple-
the
the social and economic policy envisaged for
ment
southern Mediterranean rim.

3.4.1
The EU-India Round Table and the Transatlantic
Agenda have enabled the European Union to make its social
and cultural structure more visible to the rest of the world.

3.5
The Western Balkans Contact Group was set up in 2004
with the task of promoting cooperation between the EESC and
Western Balkan civil society organisations, including economic
and social councils (4), in order to help civil society organisa-
tions in the countries of the Western Balkans to strengthen
integration with the EU and, ultimately, EU membership.

3.5.1
by drawing up the following:

The EESC has taken an interest in south-east Europe

2.6
In order to obtain concrete results, it would be advisable
to increase the participation of representatives from candidate
countries in the work of the Social Affairs DG and representa-
tive organisations active at EU level, through the use of appro-
priate instruments.

— an information report on Relations between the European

Union and certain countries in south-east Europe (5),

— an own-initiative opinion on Development of human resources

in the Western Balkans (6),

(3) The Western Balkans is usually understood to be the territory that
made up the former Yugoslavia (less Slovenia) and Albania,
i.e.
Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro (including
Kosovo), the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania.

(4) Croatia and Montenegro have set up economic and social councils.
(5) Information report, CESE 1025/98 fin, rapporteur: Mr Sklavounos.
(6) EESC opinion, rapporteur: Mr Sklavounos. OJ C 193 of 10.7.2001,

p. 99.

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— an own-initiative opinion on Promoting the involvement of
Civil Society Organisations in South-East Europe (SEE) — past
experiences and future challenges (7),

— Agricultural products in the context of

the EC-Turkey

customs union (1997).

— an exploratory opinion on The role of civil society in the new

European strategy for the Western Balkans (8),

— an own-initiative opinion on Croatia's application for EU

membership (9).

3.5.2
opinions on Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.

The Committee has

also adopted own-initiative

3.5.3
The EESC has already produced two partial assess-
ments of European Neighbourhood Policy (10), and is currently
in the process of preparing an exploratory opinion on the (11).

In contrast to other committees, which stipulated the
3.6
participation of 6 or 9 EESC members (3 per group), the EU/
Turkey JCC was set up with 18 EESC and 18 Turkish members.
This increase was justified because of the country's size and the
potential problems that could arise from the fact that it was the
first Muslim country requesting EU membership.

3.6.1
The EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee is a
body that brings together representatives of organised civil
society of the EU and Turkey. Its members come from various
civil society organisations: chambers of commerce,
industry
and crafts, trade, employer associations, cooperatives, chambers
of agriculture, consumer organisations, NGOs, representatives
of the third sector, etc.

EU-Turkey JCC meetings (12) have been held alternately
3.6.2
in Brussels and Turkish localities and every meeting has
addressed social and economic issues: the 19th JCC meeting
was held in Istanbul on 7 and 8 July 2005 (13).

3.6.3
discussed in the meetings:

The following were among the more interesting issues

— Relations between Turkey and the EU in respect of energy

(1996).

— EU-Turkey cooperation in the field of small- and medium-

sized enterprises and vocational training (1996).

(7) EESC opinion, rapporteur: Mr Wilkinson. OJ C 208 of 3.9.2003, p.

82.

(8) EESC opinion, rapporteur: Mr Confalonieri. OJ C 80 of 30.3.2004,

p. 158.

(9) EESC opinion, rapporteur: Mr Strasser. OJ C 112 of 30.4.2004, p.

68.

(10) One deals with central and eastern European, EESC opinion, OJ C
80 of 30.3.2004, p. 148 (rapporteur: Ms Alleweldt) and the other
with Mediterranean countries, information report CESE 520/2005
fin (rapporteur: Ms Cassina).

(11) Rapporteur: Ms Cassina (REX 204).
(12) To date, 19 meetings have been held.
(13) The first meeting was held in Brussels on 16 November 1995 and
was attended by Mr Özülker, Turkey's ambassador to the EU.

— The social impact of the customs union (1998).

— The role of women in development and decision-making

(1999).

— Migrations (2000).

— Research and development (2000).

— Liberalisation of services (2000).

— Social dialogue and economic and social rights in Turkey

(2001).

— Impact of the economic crisis in Turkey (2002).

— Regional disparities in Turkey (2002).

— The development of agriculture in Turkey (2002).

— Turkey on the road to accession (2003).

— Social integration of people with disabilities (2004).

— Micro-enterprises and standardisation processes (2004).

— The development of EU-Turkey relations and the involve-
ment of civil society in the accession negotiations (2005).

3.7
As can be seen above, many areas of the Community
acquis have been addressed in meetings held with Turkish civil
society organisations. It must be stressed that these meetings,
particularly those held in Turkey (14), were attended by many
people from Turkey's most representative civil society organisa-
tions.

The meetings held in Turkey,

3.8
in particular, were
attended by many representatives of the various Turkish orga-
nisations, in addition to the JCC members, and they played an
important part in promoting mutual understanding.

3.9
the
Among the initiatives developed by the JCC,
commitment to set up a Social and Economic Committee in
Turkey based on the EU model and on the committees in many
European countries (15) should be highlighted.

(14) 9 meetings were held in Turkey: 3 in Istanbul, 1in Gaziantep, 2 in

Ankara and 1 each in Trabzon, Izmir and Erzurum.

(15) The following countries have an Economic and Social Council:
Austria, Belgium, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy,
Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Bulgaria and
Romania (source: EESC).

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3.10
The Commission Communication acknowledges the
active role played by the EESC, during the past ten years, in
relations with Turkey (16). The Commission hopes that
the
Committee of the Regions will play a similar role in relation to
Turkish regions.

4.5.1
Integrating different cultures. The many occupa-
tional categories often address problems in different ways. Even
if many needs now seem to be similar in nature because of
cultural development, the instruments and means of meeting
needs and increasingly sophisticated aspirations remain diverse.
In line with current models, the various positions are reconciled
at the top level through political mediation.

4. Implementation of

the third pillar and grassroots

democracy

Grassroots culture, which alongside the strengthening
4.1
of subsidiarity is among the trends that have emerged during
the last few years, has gained importance and is becoming a
cultural stance through which citizens express their desire to be
key protagonists in social decisions.

Two significant developments took place concurrently

4.2
with the advent of grassroots democracy:

— the new duties of national parliaments;

— strengthening of the subsidiarity principle.

4.3
Parliament is often perceived as being too slow and
incoherent in its decisions. Thus an effort must be made to
establish a new parliamentary structure and role (17).

4.3.1
The culture of subsidiarity has spread as a result of, in
particular, the European Union's impetus, and is based on the
principle of multi-level decision-making. The skill lies in identi-
fying the most appropriate level. It is pointless to do in Brussels
what can be better performed at national or local level, or vice
versa.

This process, however,

is increasingly giving rise to
4.5.2
dissatisfaction and alienation from the political classes and
professional associations. Beginning with the lowest levels, a
major and different effort is needed to better integrate the
various aspects of the problems. It is not a matter of creating
cultural homogeneity but of working together to identify the
ways forward that can secure the widest consensus.

4.5.3
In the same system. The integration process can be,
and is being, triggered in various ways. Nevertheless, it needs
to be organised in a systematic and methodical manner. The
systems that have had the greatest success, both within Euro-
pean bodies and Member States, have grouped civil society
three headings: (19)
organisations under
those representing
independent professionals,
employers, employees and lastly,
rights
consumer
NGOs,
groups and grassroots associations.

equal opportunities

committees,

4.4
As a result of new technologies, knowledge is spreading
at a rate and extent which were previously inconceivable. Many
who previously had no access to information, are now better
prepared, more knowledgeable and feel that their opinions can
contribute towards decision-making (18).

4.6
At the various levels. An organisation of this kind is
responsible for addressing specific, often complex issues, at
regional, national or European level. It was for this reason that
the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Union in
1957, set up the European Economic and Social Committee in
addition to other institutions.

These needs, which represent

4.4.1
the expression of a
society undergoing cultural growth, not least as a result of
experience shared with other European states, can be better
addressed by grassroots democracy.

The recently concluded enlargement and future enlar-
4.4.2
gements with Turkey and Croatia require these cultural and
social models to be commonly shared.

These models aim to integrate the various aspects
4.5
(economic, industrial, trade union and occupational) into the
same system of organising consensus.

(16) COM(2005) 290 of 29.6.2005, point 2.2.2.
(17) Jacques Delors explored this subject in an interesting speech he

gave at a meeting with the EESC in 1999.

(18) The concept of a grassroots democracy builds on and formalises
the concept of participation as
structures and organises
consensus through instruments and institutions (such as the EESC
and national and regional ESCs) which help to resolve problems
and seek solutions to radical social and economic changes. A
typical example would be the liberalisation of the services, energy
and gas markets in the various EU Member States, and services of
general interest in particular.

it

4.6.1
Identifying the most suitable levels, at which to
search for shared solutions is part of cultural growth and the
search for a grassroots democracy.

4.7
The method of active dialogue between and with
organised civil society. Ongoing dialogue between and with
organised civil society emerges and is given the room to
develop in a mature democracy, where knowledge and infor-
mation are disseminated among the general public,
thus
ensuring that even the most complex issues are addressed
without the constraints of ideological conditioning and ignor-
ance.

(19) These three headings – in a slightly different form – have been
adopted by the economic and social councils that have been set up
in 15 EU Member States.

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4.7.1 Ongoing dialogue. Ongoing dialogue is an important
aspect as it ensures that the limits set by occasional dialogue
are overcome. Particularly where complex issues are involved,
sustained and organised methodological exchanges may yield
unhoped-for results.

Interaction (20) as a means of

4.8
reaching rapid and
common solutions. Interaction follows naturally from engaging
in ongoing and methodological work and ensures that results
are valuable and long lasting. When opinions are being drawn
up, many positions, which at first appear to be far apart, will
come together and be reconciled.

must be able to operate independently and with the necessary
financial and human resources.

It is vital that EU-Turkey relations be characterised by

5.5
transparency, participation and accountability.

5.6
Taking into consideration the nature of EU-Turkish rela-
tions and the experience of countries that have recently joined
the EU, the Committee, through the work of the JCC members,
has proposed several measures in order to involve organised
civil society in the accession negotiations.

4.9
These processes are normally used in parliaments but do
not involve organised civil society at grassroots level. To extend
these models to the regions in an organised, sustained and
methodical way is to enter a more mature form of democracy,
leading in turn to a grassroots democracy.

Capacity-building is needed in order to enable civil
5.6.1
society organisations to have a say in the accession talks. In
order to achieve this, they will require assistance and funding.

5. Accession negotiations and civil society

5.1
As is generally known, when setting out the principles
to be followed for enlargement, the Copenhagen criteria also
obliged the new Member States to fully incorporate the acquis
communautaire into their policies and practices. For this reason,
too,
the EESC welcomes and wholeheartedly endorses the
Communication from the Commission on dialogue between
civil society in the EU and Turkey, adopted on 29 June.

5.2
In the Committee's opinion, both sides need to put aside
stereotypes and present the European Union and Turkey as
they are now and find the most suitable ways of improving
mutual knowledge and achieving a more effective implementa-
tion of grassroots democracy.

5.3
The Committee is pleased to note that a new draft law
on the reform of the Turkish Economic and Social Council has
been prepared with a number of representatives of organised
civil society, including several JCC members.

On the one hand,

5.3.1
legislation gives an
enhanced role and a better representation to civil society repre-
sentatives in the Council and, on the other, limits the role of
government.

this draft

This

support

5.6.2
should be provided mainly by the
Turkish government and also, as a complementary support, by
the EU institutions and civil society organisations in current EU
Member States.

5.7
Reinforcing links with European organisations and
taking part in European transnational projects are useful instru-
ments for capacity-building of Turkish organisations.

JCC members can also make a valuable contribution in
5.7.1
this respect and their own organisations are invited to start
civil society dialogue programmes. Such projects must be
aimed at improving mutual knowledge and ensuring collabora-
tion, especially through the exchange of best practices.

5.8
Representatives of Turkish associations could benefit
from sustained participation in study group discussions which
are held at EU level with a view to implementing European
policies, as in the case of the Luxembourg process.

In the JCC's view, visa procedures in the Member States
5.9
are an obstacle to the development of relations within civil
society. The EESC therefore calls on governments to facilitate
these procedures in order to:

— enhance dialogue between civil society representatives;

5.4
The EESC trusts that this legislation will be adopted and
implemented as soon as possible and strongly reaffirms the
principle that the new Turkish Economic and Social Council

(20) Interaction paves the way for reciprocal and similar frames of
mind: reciprocal
in the sense that one involves the other and
similar, since they tend to seek analogous and common lines of
reasoning (from Alberoni et al).

— enhance trade union cooperation;

— facilitate trade and business relations;

— stimulate trade and economic relations;

— create an NGO platform.

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5.10
It is essential to speed up the establishment of the
Turkish Economic and Social Council in the independent form
mentioned above, as it will be an effective mechanism for
permanent dialogue between the government and organised
civil society, involving all stakeholders.

5.14 More funding needs to be provided, the commitment
intensified, meetings and exchanges of experience increased
and the social and occupational categories involved more
clearly identified.

This body, which will ensure a better implementation
5.10.1
of grassroots democracy, must meet the legitimate aspirations
of the whole of organised civil society and reflect its needs and
potential in the process of integration into the life of the Euro-
pean Union.

it

sure

To make

is broad-based,

5.10.1
the Turkish
Economic and Social Council should be organised on a regional
basis and be involved in consultation on all the Community
acquis chapters of negotiation, which should take place in an
ongoing and timely manner.

5.11
Raising awareness and understanding of the country's
models and cultural traditions in both Turkey and the EU is of
key importance to the success of negotiations. Particular efforts
should be made to ensure that public perceptions of the EU
vis-à-vis Turkey, and vice versa, correspond to reality.

5.11.1
The most effective way of achieving this is to give
civil society organisations the chance to put together effective
information campaigns.

5.12
long period, has always been committed to:

The EESC, through the JCC's extensive work over a

— encouraging the involvement of organised civil society in
the negotiation process for each of the chapters discussed;

— scrutinising the socio-economic consequences of Turkey's

adoption of the ‘acquis communautaire’;

— enhancing and consolidating dialogue and cooperation
between representatives of organised civil society in the EU
Member States and in Turkey.

5.12.1
In doing this, the EESC and JCC can benefit from the
experience of members from the new Member States in over-
coming the difficulties encountered during negotiations.

5.12.2
The aim is to build on the work of local and regional
organisations through a process of grassroots democracy,
which the political class could never manage to achieve on its
own.

In the particular case of Turkey, given the size of the
5.13
country and the complex issues
involved, meetings and
exchanges of experience have been more in-depth and frequent.
But there is more to be done.

6. Conclusions

The EESC believes that, with the agreement and active
6.1
participation of the Turkish Economic and Social Council, a
permanent structure should be put in place, bringing together
civil society representatives and being responsible for following
accession negotiations (21), in order to ensure effective and full
implementation of the Community acquis.

6.1.1
Given the vastness of the country and its cultural
diversity, this body should be able to function at both national
and regional level.

It is vital that the cultural interaction and the benefits of
6.2
the acquis do not become the exclusive preserve of Istanbul,
Ankara and the main Turkish cities, but also extend to
provinces and rural areas.

6.3
The aspirations, concerns and expectations of the people
are echoed and given concrete expression in civil society orga-
nisations. These organisations should have a crucial role to play
in planning and conducting the information campaign on
Turkey's EU membership.

In the EESC's view, it is also important that a common
6.3.1
platform for communication (22), i.e. a forum, be set up which
would involve associations and NGOs and enable them to
focus on key challenges and seek common solutions,
in
concrete terms and at grassroots level.

6.4
The pre-accession process involves support programmes
and financial assistance. Often, only a handful of people, the
time-
specialist staff involved, are familiar with procedures,
frames and financial opportunities. Clear information must be
provided from the start so that it can be disseminated among
all the organisations concerned and make projects and propo-
sals possible.

Similarly,

6.4.1
to obtain the necessary
funding must, as far as possible, be simple and clearly explained
to representations of civil society.

the procedures

(21) This entails establishing a horizontal and vertical partnership, invol-
ving civil society (horizontal) and institutional (vertical) representa-
tives, as is the case with NUTS II in Objective 1 regions. The part-
ners described above have benefited from consultation and infor-
mation exercises, which, in turn, have produced significantly better
solutions to the problems facing regions that are lagging behind.
Cf. DG Regio documents on regional ROPs and SPDs.

(22) A structure for dialogue.

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6.9
The EESC believes that the various Turkish organisations
should be supported so that, within a very short space of time,
they can become members of European and international orga-
nisations in their respective sectors.

6.10
Turkey's participation in education and training
programmes should be encouraged by all means possible, not
least by new ad hoc programmes to complement current ones.

6.10.1
Graduate traineeships, under a suitably enhanced
Erasmus programme, could be the perfect opportunity for
students from different countries to get to know and respect
one another.

6.11
The Committee believes that much of the paperwork
required by the Turkish ministries when Turkish businesses and
other economic players decide to hold events in Europe could
be reduced or eliminated altogether.

6.12
The links between representatives of similar organisa-
tions and between Turkey and the EU need to be supported,
stimulated and encouraged as they ensure that the ongoing
exchanges of experience and culture are facilitated and speeded
up.

6.13
that
acquainted with Turkey and the Turkish people with Europe.

Essentially, all efforts should be directed at ensuring
largest possible number of Europeans become

the

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

6.5
The European Commission delegation to Turkey, helped
not least by the support and experience of the JCC, the EESC
and the Committee of the Regions, can contribute significantly
by holding practical and structured dialogue between the repre-
sentatives of all sectors of civil society — including players in
the social dialogue — in Turkey and between Turkey and the
EU (23). It is essential that the budget earmarked for strength-
ening civil society be used to ensure that the social partners in
Turkey and the EU can develop joint projects on training on
the large number of areas laid down in the 31 chapters of the
Community acquis.

In the EESC's opinion,

6.6
it is as important as ever to
enhance capacity-building in Turkish organisations and thus
enable them to build on their understanding of their European
counterparts, particularly of their duties and their representative
role in a grassroots democracy.

In the process of adopting the acquis, there should be
6.6.1
legislation on associations which ought to be substantially in
line with current European legislation.

6.7
The Turkish government, guided not least by the provi-
sions of the Community acquis, should improve legislation on
organisations and remove the obstacles hampering develop-
ment of NGOs.

6.8
As far as gender issues are concerned, the Committee
urges the Commission to ensure that women are sufficiently
involved in actions of cooperation and appropriately repre-
sented in forums for dialogue and action programmes.

Brussels, 27 October 2005.

(23) A broad dialogue has already emerged. Trade union and employer
organisations and representatives of micro enterprises hold frequent
meetings on trade union representation, employment, credit
problems, vocational training and product marketing and interna-
tionalisation. These meetings are held either in Brussels (UNICE,
UEAPME, ETUC..) or Turkey, but more formal relations need to be
sought. With regard to the textiles issue, the possibility of a Pan-
Euromediterranean trade area as a high-quality alternative to
Chinese production, has been explored via DG Enterprise.