Armenia can be proud of its civil society – EU ambassador

Armenia’s civil society is its brand identity and pride on the post-Soviet territory, EU Ambassador Piotr Switalski said today, considering civic activism as a serious potential for the country.

In his speech at the opening of the Committment to Constructive Dialogue project, the diplomat also highly praised the recently adopted legislative amendments allowing NGOs to more broadly benefit from financial assistance and resources.

Meantime, he stressed the importance of developing the dialogue between government institutions and civil society organizations.

Ambassador Switalski further reiterated the European Union’s commitment to assist the civil society in Armenia, focusing on specific priorities such as capacity-building of smaller and regional NGOs. He also highlighted the social entrepreneurship initiatives and the increasing attention to the youth, women and minorities.

netherland FM Comments come after Turkish consul sent mayors instructions of how to deal with anti-Erdoğan protests.

By CYNTHIA KROET 8/26/16, 4:30 PM CET Updated 8/29/16, 7:24 AM CET

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders on Friday criticized Turkish consul general to the Netherlands for sending letters to several mayors, instructing them how to deal with demonstrations by opponents of the government in Ankara.

“This is a Dutch society, the Netherlands control it. Not Turkey,” Koenders said, according to broadcaster RTL.

The letter by Consul General Sadin Ayyildiz was being sent to Dutch mayors of several towns near Rotterdam.

Koenders’s comments come after Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb warned Turkey to not intervene in Dutch politics and society following a failed coup against the government and president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last month.

Aboutaleb invited the consul to discuss the matter, but local media reported that Ayyildiz cancelled the meeting.

Koenders will be travelling to Turkey next week and he will bring up the issue at meetings with government officials.

“I will tell them how important the rule of law is to the Netherlands and Europe and that we are concerned about the situation following the coup,” Koenders said.

In April, the Turkish Consulate in the Netherlands became the center of attention when it called upon Turks in the country to report back about any insults directed at Erdoğan.

After much criticism, the Consulate said one of its employees sent the appeal by “mistake.”

Authors:

Cynthia Kroet

Source: http://www.politico.eu/article/dutch-fm-bert-koenders-turkey-has-no-say-in-our-society-sadin-ayyildiz-erdogan-netherlands/