Türkiye's Minister of Environment and Forestry, Osman Pepe, acknowledged at an Ankara symposium in October 2006 that environmental policy represents one of the most demanding chapters in the country's EU accession negotiations. The event, held at the Dedeman Hotel, focused on aligning Türkiye's environmental rules with EU standards.
Pepe outlined a two-phase investment plan: roughly 30 million euros needed by 2014 to meet EU environmental benchmarks, followed by an additional 60 million euros in projects to be completed by 2023. He noted that Türkiye has already aligned about half of its environmental regulations with EU requirements, but stressed that passing laws alone is insufficient without strong enforcement.
German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said his government is equally eager to deepen ties, adding that German companies are eyeing investment opportunities in Türkiye's environmental sector. He acknowledged the challenge ahead given Türkiye's size, while affirming that EU membership remains the only viable path forward for the country.
The two ministers signed a Pilot Projects Agreement on Environmental Protection and agreed to form a joint monitoring group. Gabriel noted that Germany overcame its own serious environmental problems over the past two decades and that five cooperative projects between the two countries are already underway.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.