Bridget Fox: Lib Dems and Turkey working together for progress towards a united Europe

11.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Sep 2009

Bridget was joined by Islington Councillor Meral Ece, Chair of Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats, Dr Turhan Ozen, Chair of Lib Dem Friends of Turkey, Nursuna Memecan, Turkish MP for Istanbul (AK party) and Lord William Wallace, Lib Dem Foreign Affairs spokesman. All are pictured with members of Lib Dem Friends of Turkey.

Bridget Fox, Islington's shadow MP, joined a distinguished panel to talk about working with the Turkish community at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth this week. Senior politicians from Turkey and the UK discussed the progress Turkey has made and the move towards them joining the EU when they meet human rights requirements.

Bridget called on people to recognise the diversity of the Turkish community in Islington from the first arrivals to young professionals, all of whom contribute so much to our society and local area.

She said:

"Many people think Turkey is already in the EU since they take part in the Eurovision song contest! Turkish candidates play a vital role in politics locally and we welcome more people getting involved. They must be partners, not guest workers in our election factories.

I believe that the future of the EU is co-operation on the economy, environment and equal rights, and I want Turkey to be part of that."