SCSD-SD, the associations consider “positive” the negotiation for Turkey’s entry into the EU
We publish the report with the results of the survey carried out within the Sustainable Civil Society Dialogue for Sustainable Development - SCSD-SD project. Both partners - Kyoto Club in Italy and Çevreci Enerji Derneği in Turkey - have identified a target of 50 organizations in Turkey and 50 in Italy. According to most organizations, the negotiation for Turkey's entry into Europe is "useful" or "very useful", with 74.8% of positive responses for Turkish organizations, and 77.5% for Italian ones.
What do you think about the negotiation for Turkey's entry into the EU? This is one of the questions addressed to the associations identified by the partners of the SCSD-SD project, Kyoto Club in Italy and Çevreci Enerji Derneği (Environmental Energy Associations) for Turkey, as part of the questionnaire provided by the project and conducted in the months from June to September.
The percentage of positive responses – "useful" and "very useful" – is roughly the same: 74.8% positive for Turkish organizations, 77.5% for Italian ones. The result, in our opinion, is remarkable: in the project writing phase, one of the objectives was the improvement of mutual understanding and the bilateral exchange regarding common problems to overcome stereotypes and erroneous perceptions; from these initial results, the vast majority of participating organizations are generally in favor of Turkey's entry into the EU.
Those who filled out the survey from Italy clearly expressed their interest in better understanding a country like Turkey: climate change, in particular, has proven to be an important catalyst for dialogue – the Mediterranean is one of the areas most affected by global level.
The associations' opinion on the enlargement process of the European Union is also good, considered overall positive by 71.9% of Turkish associations and 88.7% of Italian associations.
But what is Turkey really missing to finalize its entry into the EU? The response "More decisive investments in renewables and energy efficiency" was chosen by approximately the same percentage both in Turkey and in Italy (26.8% against 24.6%). According to Italian citizens, the Middle Eastern country must focus above all on sustainable development (36.6%) and trade with the EU countries (31%), while, on the contrary, the Italian associations surveyed think that Turkey's entry into the EU is held back on equal terms (32.7%) by religion, policies on migrants and the lack of a decarbonisation strategy.
Following the indications of the communication strategy defined by the partners at the beginning of the project – and as required by the approved text – a target of 50 organizations in Turkey and 50 in Italy was identified. The final number reached was 59 organizations for Italy and 94 for Turkey.
The quality of the sample is very varied: both in Turkey and in Italy the participants reflect the broad spectrum of action defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the environmental, economic and social dimensions.
