The 1st Steering Committee meeting of the European Union-Council of Europe Joint Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey” was held in Ankara on 10 June 2021.
Following the opening speeches of Zekeriya Birkan, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, and Cristian Urse, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara, a briefing on the objectives, expected results and main activities of the project was provided. Additionally, detailed presentations were delivered on the semi-annual work plan for 2021, which is composed of the activities to be carried out to improve the effectiveness of the justice system and access to justice by providing a faster dispute resolution for citizens, businesses, legal persons and other organisations and institutions, as well as to ensure better functioning of the judiciary by enhancing the scope and use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Turkey.
Representatives from the Ministry of Justice – Directorate General for Criminal Affairs, Directorate General for Legal Affairs, Directorate General for Foreign Relations and EU Affairs, the Central Finance and Contracts Unit and the Council of Europe attended the meeting as the members of the Steering Committee. In addition, representatives from each of the institutions, namely, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, the Directorate for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey – Directorate for Strategy and Budget, Directorate General of Law and Regulations, Inspection Board of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, the Justice Academy of Turkey, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey – Mediation and Dispute Resolution Centre, Istanbul Arbitration Centre (ISTAC), as well as representatives of the academia working in the field of conciliation, mediation and communication, one conciliator and one mediator contributed to the meeting as observing members.
Members of the Steering Committee expressed their views, recommendations, and approval of the project work plan.
The Joint Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey” is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkey – Directorate General for Criminals Affairs and Directorate General for Legal Affairs are the end beneficiaries of the Project. The Central Finance and Contracts Unit is the contracting authority.
