WIREDGOV

The EU will provide more than 236 million EUR to support Turkey's reform efforts in key areas such as judiciary and fundamental rights, migration and border management, energy, environment and climate change, social development, as well as agriculture and rural development. The funds are made available under the 2013 national programme for Turkey under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (component I: Transition Assistance and Institution Building) that has been adopted by the European Commission.

"These past weeks have seen positive developments in EU-Turkey relations, and I hope this renewed support will help foster further reforms that will contribute to the progress in the accession process", said Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood policy.

The funding will help Turkey in its efforts to build an independent, impartial and efficient judiciary and make further progress towards full enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. Support will also be provided to strengthen the accountability and efficiency of law enforcement institutions and to reinforce the fight against organised crime.

Migration and border management is crucial to Turkey's reform efforts. Institution-building in the field of migration and asylum will be supported together with measures to enhance Turkey's capacity to manage borders more efficiently, in particular along its western borders and in cooperation with its neighbours. EU assistance will also help Turkey fight cross-border crime effectively.

Funding from the 2013 national programme will support Turkey in promoting social dialogue in working life at all levels. It will further align with EU laws and standards in the area of energy, with the objective of establishing a secure, liberal and transparent energy market in Turkey, building on measures set out in 2012. Support will also go to mitigating climate change, controlling industrial pollution, fulfilling good water management standards and ensuring water efficiency. Further support will benefit the agriculture and fisheries sectors as well as alignment with EU standards in the area of food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/turkey/index_en.htm