Ilhan Kyuchyuk Vice President of ALDE Party
Re-elect
Ilhan Kyuchyuk We can change Europe!
Dear liberal friend, Two years ago you entrusted me with your vote to be a Vice President of ALDE party. Then, just as today, we are facing the biggest crisis of European identity. Our liberal values are questioned and populist forces seek to disrupt the model of a Europe of freedom, solidarity and tolerance. But my friends, the capacity of liberals is inexhaustible. The rise of liberals across Europe prove that our formula for a united, open and vital continent is indispensable. We should be proud of what we have achieved as a true European political party. From Germany to Macedonia, liberal parties are changing the political landscape for the better. But we should not, and must not stop here. We face new realities and today Europe needs reform more than ever. For a more prosperous, freer, and smarter Union. But who will trigger the desired and necessary change? For me, as a young liberal, the answer is easy! Only we liberals, have the confidence, the potential, the vision and the courage to set the direction for Europe. We are that kind of force that is constantly and tirelessly working for a better and integrated EU. But also the new member states such as Bulgaria have an obligation to help shape the future of Europe. That is why the Bulgarian liberals feel very privileged and at the same time feel the great responsibility of hosting the next ALDE Council meeting during the EU presidency in Bulgaria. For this, I am again asking you for your support and for your trust. Your support for our efforts to connect and exchange ideas. For your trust for my re-election in the ALDE party bureau because as a liberal I will remain committed and continue to fight for that liberal dream of multicultural and united Europe.
Yours, Ilhan
Ilhan Kyuchyuk report
December On the International Human Rights Day I gathered liberals from around the world at the forum “The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Ten Years On: What Next?” in the European Parliament. The event was co-organized with the Liberal International and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
“Our duty as liberals is to protect the rights of every single person.”
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Ilhan Kyuchyuk report
February I paid a visit to Geneva, Switzerland to address the opening of the 8th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights in Geneva. Liberal International co-hosted the event which aimed to debate the advancement of human rights in an age of disruption.
“Nowadays there are many countries which violate or do not even recognise fundamental human rights like freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of movement and freedom of assembly. I would remind these regimes and their leaders that human rights cannot be taken away for any reason as they are a given.�
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March Cyprus is famous for its division into Northern and Southern. I paid a visit to both parts of the island to meet with ALDE party full member United Democrats. I also participated in the Ralf Dahrendorf Roundtable organized by the European Liberal Forum.
“The EU needs a new long-term economic strategy, including policies with clear priorities in order to remain competitive on a global level.�
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FDP Baden-Wurttemberg honored me with an invitation to visit Stuttgart, Germany. There I had the opportunity to meet with more than 200 party supporters before the elections in the German province.
“Germany needs FDP back in the Bundestag and the elections in Baden-Wurttemberg could play crucial role for the liberals in the country.”
In February the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Serbia invited me to participate in the LIBSEEN meeting“Liberals of South Eastern Europe for liberal solutions to refugee and open-borders crisis” in Belgrade, Serbia.
“EU and its member states need a new approach to deal with refugee crisis. It should be based on liberal values such as tolerance, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
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April The European Party of Ukraine invited me to address the opening of the XI Congress of the Party in Kiev, Ukraine.
“Our liberal partners in Ukraine continue their relentless efforts to promote political and economic reforms and facilitate the European integration of the country.�
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I had the honor to meet the President of MR International Jean-Jacques Flahaux in Belgian Federal Parliament.
“Mouvement Réformateur is an essential part of the liberal family and а key factor in European politics.”
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June During the peak of the Brexit campaign my program lead me in London, Great Britain. I accepted the invitation of Liberal Democrats UK to meet with Liberal Democrats supporters and campaign for Britain to remain in the EU.
“United Kingdom needs the EU and the EU needs United Kingdom because only together we can overcome and solve the challenges we face today.�
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An important part in my summer schedule was the Liberal International's 4th annual Human Rights Committee meeting “Imprisoned for Thinking” in the United Nations Human Rights Council based in Geneva, Switzerland.
“Liberals must provide support for political movements that want to improve democratic transitions.”
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September I had the honor to be invited at the autumn conference of the Liberal Democrats in Brighton, Great Britain.
“We will continue our fight to prevent hard Brexit and defend citizens’ rights in the UK and the EU.”
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After an invitation from H.M. Simeon II the European Liberal Forum (ELF) in cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom organized Ralf Dahrendorf Roundtable in the Vrana Palace in Sofia, Bulgaria. I participated in the discussion on the topic: “Freedom, Security and the Rule of Law — the Democratic Society of the 21st Century”.
October
My visit to Riga, Latvia had two main purposes – to meet Juris Pūce, leader of ALDE Party member Latvijas Attistibai and to participate in the public discussion organized by the ALDE Party Individual Members Steering Committee.
“The entrepreneurial spirit among the young is an effective way of combating youth unemployment in Latvia and in Europe. This leads to the point that in a long term future, the EU must become leader in start-ups and new innovative technology companies.”
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I paid a visit to Chisinau, Moldova to participate in the LIBSEEN Leaders Meeting on the topic “What will EU – Russia relations look like and what lies ahead for Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia on their path of European integration?”
“The new geopolitical realities and the turbulences in the region oblige us to deepen our cooperation. The relationship between these three countries and the EU is often political as well as economic, but the security component cannot be underestimated. By deepening the European integration, this part of Europe will be more stable and prosperous.”
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November In the eve of the elections in Macedonia I paid a visit to Skopije and Bitola to meet LDP Macedonia and to support the Party.
“The time has come for Macedonia to put this difficult period of its history behind and turn a new leaf in its democratic development. The EU should show strong support for the European perspective of the country.�
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I had the pleasure to visit Pristina, Kosovo to meet ALDE party member New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) and its leader Behgjet Pacolli.
“The liberal family will continue to work actively towards visa liberalization and full Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo.�
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I had the pleasure to host a discussion in Brussels, Belgium for 27 young people from 5 different countries, representatives of 7 liberal political parties on "The role of the young liberals in spreading EU values throughout the Western Balkans".
“We want to see how young people show self-initiative, how they start their own business, how their fundamental rights and freedoms are protected, how they live in a secure, tolerant and prosperous Europe.�
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December On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day I hosted the event “Freedom of Belief in an Era of Radicalization” together with the Liberal International and Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The event was held in Brussels, Belgium.
“We liberals should challenge radicalisation by promoting tolerance, knowledge, human rights and social inclusion.”
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Since the topic about potential European identity crisis is getting hotter, I paid a visit to Berlin, Germany to attend the “Reshape Europe� conference organized by Friedrich Naumann Foundation. I also had the opportunity to meet FDP board members.
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Ilhan Kyuchyuk report
January I participated in the LIBSEEN meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria.
“LIBSEEN is the liberal platform that can define the direction of development of the Western Balkans and the region.�
April In April I hosted a discussion in Sofia, Bulgaria with young liberals from VVD.
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After an invitation from H.M. Simeon II the European Liberal Forum (ELF) in cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom organized Ralf Dahrendorf Roundtable in the Vrana Palace in Sofia, Bulgaria. I participated in the discussion on the topic: “Next generation EU — inspiration and challenge”.
“I believe that every young person has a vision for the future of the EU and the ambition to reform it.” I had a very beneficial visit to Bucharest, Romania where I met ALDE party member ALDE Romania and its President Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu.
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May The Swedish International Liberal Centre (SILC) invited me to host a meeting in Brussels, Belgium with representatives of the opposition and civil society of Uzbekistan.
June
“This is where the active role of the EU is required - to promote the development of democratic and pluralistic societies.�
I was honored to participate in the LIBSEEN Steering Committee meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia to adopt new statutes of the network that represents a new milestone in the development of the organization.
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I organized a visit of young liberals to Open VLD Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium where we had the opportunity and pleasure to meet with Annemie Neyts.
LYMEC invited me to open address at the ALDE Summer academy.
“Today, when the EU is at crossroad, it is our duty to reform and save the European project. As president of the largest youth liberal organisation in Europe, I am convinced that only young politicians with liberal thinking have the potential, the energy and the skills to provoke real change.� 26
September My program included participation in the LIBSEEN Regional Academy for liberalism in Sofia, Bulgaria – organized with the support of D66 and VVD.
I paid a visit to Warsaw, Poland to meet ALDE Party member Nowoczesna and its leader Ryszard Petru.
“Europe needs strong liberal party in Poland in order to guarantee the rule of law in the country.” 27
I had the pleasure to meet again with the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and leader of ALDE party member AKR Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli in Brussels, Belgium.
“Full integration of the Western Balkan countries could guarantee the stability and prosperity of the region.� In September I had the pleasure to participate in the European Liberal Forum Autumn General Assembly in Brussels, Belgium.
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October Thanks to the invitation of ALDE Party member Centerpartiet, Sweden I hosted a discussion on the “Enlargement of the EU” with young people from the Western Balkans. The event was held in Brussels, Belgium.
”Young people in the Western Balkans should regain their European dream and we will remain committed to their cause.” While in Brussels, Belgium I met with LDP Macedonia and its leader Goran Milevski.
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During the LYMEC Autumn Congress in Sofia, Bulgaria I had the honor not only to participate, but also to open address.
“The key word for Europe today is reform. Europe cannot be soft and silent but with its young people has to initiate the needed reform.�
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November I paid a visit to Belgrade, Serbia to meet ALDE Party member Liberalno Demokratska Partija. I used my visit to also participate in a discussion on the European integration of Serbia.
“Western Balkans need politicians that promote liberal values in order to move the countries on the EU path. Only they have the potential to stop the ethno-religious�confrontation�in the region and build modern democratic societies.The ALDE party is proud of its liberal and pro-European members in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro and will continue to support their work through LIBSEEN and the whole liberal family for accelerated European integration.” My program in November continued with a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet ALDE party members Nasa Stranka and Liberalno Demokratska Stranka.
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I had the honor to participate in the "Western Balkans — Integral Part of United Europe" conference which was held in Sofia, Bulgaria.
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