"Multi-agency Co-operation and Training for Awareness Raising on the Lisbon Agenda" Project was completed with a closing conference. During the conference, Güven Sak, Managing Director of Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), has made a presentation titled "Appreciations regarding the Lisbon Agenda and the Turkish Economy".
ANKARA - Today, Güven Sak, Managing Director of TEPAV, stated that the path from Turkey to the European Union is only one-lane way. He added that "Turkey's mission should be adding a second lane to this path. When the path to the EU is only one-lane, it is likely that political matters obstruct this path frequently and easily."
The theme of the second lane should be the Lisbon Agenda; which indicates the measures of increasing competitiveness. There should be harmony with the EU in these fields. Turkey has become a natural part of the European industrial zone in the recent years, especially after its accession to the Customs Union. This trend will continue in the upcoming period. Turkey should immediately take a part in the discussions related to the policy dialogues concerning competitiveness in the EU. The second lane towards EU should be built on the contributions of Turkey to the EU and harmonization with Europe in fields related with the competitiveness of our economy.
Further at the conference, representatives from partners of the project, TEPAV and the European Policy Information Centre (EPIC, UK) evaluated the project from their perspectives. Some core group members also presented their arguments on the project and gave suggestions for the upcoming projects.
"Multi-agency co-operation and training for awareness raising on the Lisbon Agenda Project" with the cooperation of the British Embassy Department of Projects, EPIC and TEPAV started in January 2007. In March 2007, initial informative seminars were arranged on competitiveness, innovation, education and skills, environment, and energy. There were participation from different public institutions, NGOs, and private sector. The purpose of the seminars was to define strong and weak aspects of the policy implementations regarding the Lisbon Strategy both in the European Union and in Turkey.
The regional seminars took place in İzmir, İstanbul, Antalya, Gaziantep, and Mersin. The project instructors made presentations on the Lisbon Agenda, with a special emphasis on particular policy areas of the Lisbon Strategy related with the hosting cities. During the afternoon sessions, workshops were held to generate project alternatives to seek solutions for city specific problems.