
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Turkish - Belgian Relations in 2003

There were positive developments in political, economic and cultural relations between Turkey and Belgium, but existing gap in cooperation against terrorism and hesitations could not be removed in 2003, either.

After elections which was held in Belgium in May, new coalition government compromised of liberals and socialists gave messages of full support to Turkey's accession process to the European Union (EU).

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said that Turkey's European character could not be debated and reiterated that they opposed to efforts for creating an artificial and fake agenda on the issue. Verhofstadt who paid an official visit to Ankara in November reflected his country's confidence in Turkish government and reforms which were fulfilled in the country.

Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Louis Michel also said that he was a powerful defender of Turkey's EU membership and stated that he confirmed his determination and commitment to support on this issue.

Concerning Turkish-Belgian relations, Michel said that the two countries held more direct meetings in three years than last 20 years and stated that he held many meetings with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul in recent months. Stating that working groups were formed to improve cooperation in military, security and judicial fields, Michel said that the two countries could do more to improve dialogue in judicial field. Michel added that relations between Turkey and Belgium were at a very good level and they were in favor of further improvement of those relations.

Michel said that he believed that Turkey had a place under the body of the EU and stated that he fought against the approach which claimed that a Muslim country could not be a EU member. Noting that Turkey was a secular and neutral state, Michel added that Turkey could be the country that would ease understanding between civilizations and cultures and it could undertake the role of mediator between West and Islamic World.

SHADOW OF TERRORISM

Problems which appeared concerning joint cooperation against terrorism between Turkey and Belgium continue to overshadow relations.

''Le Vif'' which is one of periodicals of Belgium wrote that dossier about Fehriye Erdal, who is one of suspects of Sabanci assassination, ''poisoned Turkish-Belgian relations.''

Fehriye Erdal, who is one of suspects of murder of Sabanci Holding Automotive Group Chairman Ozdemir Sabanci, Toyota-Sa Director General Haluk Gorgun and Secretary Nilgun Hasefe on January 9, 1996 was captured in Belgium on September 26, 1996 with a false passport in the name of Nese Yildirim. Belgium rejected Turkey's request for Erdal's extradition due to existence of death sentence in laws and at the same time returned her political asylum application.

After serving a year in prison, Erdal was taken under house arrest and is waiting to be tried on charges of crimes she committed in Belgium. Carrying a gun, taking part in activities of a crime gang and using false identity are among these crimes.

Brussels Penal Court continues to hear a case on 17 suspects who have connection with the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK.

Belgian judiciary completed an investigation that started in 1996 about some sub-institutions of the terrorist organization and its supporters and started a trial process also about the monetary sources of the terrorist organization.

Belgian police raided on September 18, 1996 the studios of Med-TV, the broadcasting organ of the terrorist organization PKK, in Denderleeuw town near Brussels, the office of the so-called Kurdish parliament and representations of the terrorist organization within the scope of the operation namely ''Spoutnik operation''. Many documents and footage were seized and five persons were arrested. Those persons were released after 30 days to be tried without detention.

Brussels Prosecutor's Office also focused on crimes of the terrorist organization such as laundering black money, smuggling people, collecting money by force, blackmailing people, preparing false documents, and drug smuggling. Head of the terrorist organization who is imprisoned on Imrali island was also questioned by Belgian officials within the same investigation.

Hearings focus on the money of the Med-Tv seized in Luxembourg banks whose source could not be shown, its various expenses, incidents of children kidnapping, and collecting money by force. Suspects are being questioned on those issues.

It is expected that the case will be concluded in first months of 2004.

Terrorist organizations PKK and DHKP-C that were included in the list of terrorist organizations of the EU carry on their activities under addresses of ''representative office'' and ''communication office'' in Belgium. Those organizations also hold some press conferences and demonstration ''with permission'' in this country.

TOURISM

Belgian tourists preferred to spend their holidays in Turkey in 2003 as they did in 2002, despite atmosphere that stemmed from Iraq crisis.

Association of Belgian Tour Operators (ABTO) said that Turkey was the first option for Belgian tourists to spend holiday in 2002 and also 2003.

According to information of ABTO, about 400 thousand Belgian tourists visited Turkey in 2003.

It was observed that Belgian businessmen's interest in Turkey also increased and they also took concrete steps on making investment in the country in 2003.

40TH ANNIVERSARY

Many activities were held in Belgium on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Turkish people's coming to Belgium.

Exhibitions, symposiums, conferences and panel discussions and many other activities were held in Belgium in 2003 in order to recall presence of Turkish society in this country, underline the progress which was recorded by Turkish people in 40 years and show Turkish society's integration with Belgian society.

Turkish people in Belgium whose positions have been strengthened day by day had a senator and a deputy of Turkish origin in the parliament after general elections in May.

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