Message from Nick Clegg

A message from the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP

I am delighted to be here and would like to congratulate the Centre for Turkey Studies and Development (CTSD) on a successful first year. The work that you do plays a crucial role in highlighting the important relationship between Turkey and the UK and the contribution of the Turkish, Kurdish and Turkish Cypriot communities to Britain.

The Liberal Democrats are proud to have as one of our Peers Baroness Hussein-Ece, the first Turkish Cyrpiot woman to be a member of either Houses of Parliament. Meral has worked closely with Ibrahim Dogus, a founder of the CTSD, for a long time and has been very active within the Turkish community in London, including helping to establish the first Turkish Women’s Group.

“I congratulate the Centre for Turkey Studies and Development on its efforts over the last year to strengthen relationships, promote debate and become a source of expert knowledge as the first Turkey-focused policy forum in the UK.”

There is a highly entrepreneurial Turkish community here in London with many thriving businesses that continue to grow and reinvest. The CTSD does an important job of promoting this contribution and tonight sees us celebrate this, displaying just how the CTSD are able to bring together people from a variety of backgrounds who share an interest in Turkey’s development and its relationship with the UK. Furthermore the CTSD Community Award is a fantastic initiative to recognise the contribution made by particular individuals and groups.

I congratulate the Centre for Turkey Studies and Development on its efforts over the last year to strengthen relationships, promote debate and become a source of expert knowledge as the first Turkey-focused policy forum in the UK.

Best wishes,
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats