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Driving on a Dead End Road: Why Germany Fell Behind and What it Takes to Get Back to the Forefront 09.04.2010 | Lecture of Cem Özdemir at the University of Michigan

Republic on its way to becoming real republic now25.11.2009 | German Green Party co-chair Cem Özdemir has stated that the Turkish Republic has always exploited the state’s laic structure to stall democratization, adding that the republic is now becoming a real republic thanks to recent reforms. Article in Today's Zaman.

Expectations for U.S. President Barack Obama's first trip to Europe06.04.2009 | "We could be watching the US take over the leadership role on climate issues, which until recently seemed to belong to Europe," explains Cem Özdemir to POLITICO.

Özdemir and Lagendijk question EU on visas for Turks30.03.2009 | European Parliament members Joost Lagendijk and Cem Özdemir have questioned the European Commission on a decision regarding the issue of visa-free entry to EU countries for Turks. An article in Today's Zaman.

The New Co-Leader of the Green Party 25.11.2008 | A Report by Deutsche Welle (english)

Yes, we Cem23.11.2008 | The election of Turkish-German politician Cem Özdemir to the co-leadership of the German Green Party should be great news for both democrats in Turkey and reasonable Europeans. An article in Today's Zaman.

Is it so important to have a Turkish chancellor?20.11.2008 | Mr Ozdemir seems eager to play down ethnicity altogether. "The fact that we’re still talking about this shows how far there is to go." An article in The Economist.

Greens' Obama wants a "colour-blind" Germany20.11.2008 | He has been hailed by supporters as Germany’s answer to Barack Obama. But Cem Ozdemir, the new Green party co-leader, plays down the comparison. An article in The Financial Times.

The Greens have taken a notable step18.11.2008 | Not only does Mr Ozdemir's win fly in the face of the usual dreary British stereotypes about Germans; it may also be a further catalyst for minority candidates elsewhere. An editorial in The Guardian.

Greens in Germany pick son of Turks as leader16.11.2008 | The Green party, one of Germany's main political parties, has elected the son of Turkish immigrants to its top political post, the first time any party here has chosen a leader with an immigrant background. An article in The International Herald Tribune.

Greens show their colours in German politics16.11.2008 | The German Green Party appears to be taking a leaf out of Barack Obama’s book, pushing a policy of "change”. Cem Ozdemir is the first ethnic Turkish politician to lead a major party. He has been elected co-chairman of the Green Party. A report from euronews.

The Change the Old World Doesn't Believe In - Yet13.11.2008 | Is the change Europeans seek for America not the change they believe in for themselves? An article from the Washington Post.

Could it Happen Here? Where's Europe's Obama?06.11.2008 | "In Europe there is still a long way to go," says Cem Özdemir, who is about to make history in Germany as the first politician of Turkish descent to take the reins of a political party. "Obama's victory shows that we should stop categorizing people in little boxes, and look at the broader picture." An article from Spiegel Online.

Spiegel Online: Letter from Berlin15.10.2008 | Politician Cem Özdemir is set to soon become Germany's first national party leader of Turkish descent. As head of the Green Party, he will break through a glass ceiling that still persists for most of the country's estimated 2.5 million ethnic Turks. An article from Spiegel Online.

Abkhazians call for recognition07.10.2008 | Representatives of the breakaway province spoke with Members of the European Parliament during a hearing organized by the Green Party. An article from euobserver.

Turkey sends confusing signals to Europe11.07.2008 | 'It should be very clear that a coup d’etat is under no conditions acceptable in a democracy. That, however, does not mean that the activities of the government justify everything. It has to be based on the democratic rule of law and the constitution,' says Cem Özdemir. Interview with Turkish Daily News.

Turkey’s clash of values: memo to Europe29.04.2008 | The political and legal crisis in Turkey makes a clear understanding of the European Union's vital interest in the country essential. An article from OpenDemocracy.

Turkey: Greens/EFA call for positive attitude and further progress in reform process22.04.2008 | Cem Özdemir welcomes the adoption of this rational report, which notes progress that has been made in the reform process in Turkey, and identifies areas - such as the judiciary and gender equality - where further steps and more rapid progress are required.

Iraq: Baker Commission report confirms need for a real exit strategy for US from Iraq06.12.2006 | The recommendations of the Baker Commission are a resounding indictment of the Bush administration's handling of Iraq to date.

CIA investigation: Report throws spotlight on EU institutions cooperation with US on renditions29.11.2006 | This report both sets out the clear evidence of CIA abuses in European jurisdictions but also highlights the role of Member States and the EU institutions in conspiring to cover up this information.

Turkey accession negotiations: Proportional response to Cyprus question will allow reforms to continue in Turkey29.11.2006 | The European Commission today proposed granting Turkey more time to agree a solution to the Cyprus question and in the meantime proposed suspending negotiations on subjects directly linked to the customs union.

Turkey: Nobel Prize for Turkish writer counteracts damage done to open debate Armenian genocide12.10.2006 | Today at noon it was announced that Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, formerly prosecuted in Turkey for having questioned openly the official Turkish position on the Armenian question, has won the Nobel Prize for literature.

Armenian genocide: Green MEPs appeal for French bill on Armenian genocide to be withdrawn11.10.2006 | On 26 September a resolution of the European Parliament was approved by a large majority that includes a paragraph saying that recognition of the Armenian genocide is not a condition for Turkish accession to the EU.

Air passenger data deal: Capitulation to US pressure on access to PNR a blow to EU civil liberties06.10.2006 | With this deal, the EU has once again caved to US pressure at the expense of EU citizens' civil liberties.

SWIFT data transfers: SWIFT revelations raise serious questions over the guarantee of EU data protection law04.10.2006 | The transfer by Belgian-based business SWIFT of its customers' bank and other sensitive financial data to the US secret services is clearly in conflict with EU data protection law.

Turkey: European Parliament adopts critical but fair report on Turkey27.09.2006 | MEPs have today adopted a critical but fair assessment of Turkey's progress towards EU accession, averting fears that the Parliament would undermine those who are driving reforms in Turkey.

Turkey: Kurdish calls for ceasefire raise hopes of an end to vicious circle of violence in Turkey12.09.2006 | The call for a ceasefire by DTP Chairman Ahmet Turk is timely and raises hopes for an end to the vicious circle of violence in South-East Turkey and in the rest of the country.

CIA inquiry: Detention centre admission ups pressure on European governments to come clean07.09.2006 | That the CIA operates detention centres outside of US jurisdiction comes as little surprise and confirms the evidence already uncovered by the European Parliament's inquiry.

EP Turkey report: Continually raising the bar counter-productive for Turkish reform process05.09.2006 | The report adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee has once again raised the bar for Turkey, as regards the progress it has to make towards EU accession in a number of areas.

Turkey: Greens condemn terror attacks in Turkey31.08.2006 | We strongly condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey and express our deepest compassion with the victims. The intention of these attacks was to harm the Turkish tourism sector and to disrupt the reform process in Turkey.

CIA Committee report: Large majority of MEPs endorses the findings of the CIA inquiry committee06.07.2006 | The large majority of MEPs supporting the findings of the CIA Committee sends a strong signal to EU governments to engage completely with the ongoing investigations and make serious efforts to shed light on the CIA activities on European soil.

CIA abuses: Arrest of Italian secret services director confirms collusion of EU states in CIA abuses05.07.2006 | The arrest of Marco Mancini in Milan today confirms the collusion of EU Member States in CIA abuses on European territory.

CIA abuses investigation: EP and national parliaments must pressure governments to engage in CIA investigations13.06.2006 | We welcome the adoption of the interim report of the CIA committee, which confirms the findings of the Council of Europe and adds to the body of evidence highlighting illegal CIA activities in Europe.

Council of Europe CIA Report: European governments accomplices of illegal CIA activities07.06.2006 | Today's report by the Council of Europe on CIA activities in Europe paints a grim picture and ends any remaining doubt about the complicity of European governments in illegal CIA activities.

Guantanamo: European Parliament calls for strengthened EU effort to shut down Guantanamo31.05.2006 | It is about time that European governments are finally calling for the closure of the detention centre at Guantanamo.

Transfer of passenger data: European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling strengthens position of EU Parliament30.05.2006 | The annulment of this agreement is an important victory for democracy and also for the European Parliament.

Syria: Greens express concern at arrest of Syrian pro-democracy activist18.05.2006 | This arrest is further evidence of the ongoing campaign by the Syrian authorities to harass and imprison those seeking to promote human rights and non-violent opponents of government policies.

Turkey: Attack on Turkish judges an attempt to sabotage democratic reform17.05.2006 | We strongly condemn today's attack, which represents a clear attempt to undermine democracy and the rule of law in Turkey. The recent rise in armed attacks, which has also included assaults on members of the press and writers, is a major cause of concern.

European Agency for Fundamental Rights: EU Parliament to play bigger role in new Agency03.05.2006 | This is a very important step in guaranteeing the respect of human and civil rights both in EU Member States of the European Union and beyond.

CIA activity Interim Report: Greens call for a genuine parliamentary inquiry26.04.2006 | We welcome the strong line taken by the interim report in denouncing the violations of fundamental rights that have occurred on EU territory as a result of furtive and illegal CIA activities. It is a major shortcoming, however, that report goes soft on Member States, which were either actively or tacitly complicit in these abuses.

Situation in Turkey: Greens condemn violence in Turkey06.04.2006 | We would like to express our great concern over the situation in Turkey. In the past week, at least 15 people lost their lives in riots between demonstrators and Turkish security forces in the South-East and in terrorist attacks in Istanbul.

Vote on EU-Turkmenistan Agreement: EU Parliament puts energy interests before human rights21.03.2006 | It is completely inconsistent of the European Parliament to support the proposal for developing relations with Turkmenistan while at the same time calling for increased pressure and new sanctions on Belarus. This will only serve to further undermine the EU's international credibility.

Racism in football: EP calls for racism to be given the boot14.03.2006 | Racism has no place in our society but its prevalence in high-profile sports, like football, is all the more deplorable. In light of the serious instances of racism in European football matches, the European Parliament has strongly condemned racism in football, both on the pitch and off.

CIA temporary committee hearing: EU Parliament moves into first gear on CIA inquiry23.02.2006 | The parliament's temporary committee on CIA activities in Europe moved into first gear today with its initial hearing. The submissions from Armando Spataro, the Italian prosecutor, and Dick Marty, Council of Europe rapporteur, as well as from the different NGOs, confirmed the need for this parliamentary CIA committee.

Temporary Committee on CIA Activity : Greens/EFA to participate in first hearing of the EP Committee on CIA Activity22.02.2006 | The temporary committee of the European Parliament on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners willhold its first hearing in Brussels.

CIA activities: National parliaments should start investigating CIA-flights24.01.2006 | It is time for national parliaments to start investigations into the secret CIA-flights landing and taking off in their countries and the involvement of national authorities in this matter. It's very worrying that national governments probably knew of these flights and apparently didn't do anything to stop them, or were even involved in them.

New parliamentary Committees: Greens/EFA nominated members for committees on CIA and Equitable Life19.01.2006 | The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has nominated its members for the Committee of inquiry on the collapse of the Equitable Life Assurance Society and the Temporary committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners.

Turkey: Delegation of Green MEPs to observe the trial of writer Orhan Pamuk in Istanbul13.12.2005 | A delegation of Green MEPs will leave Strasbourg for Istanbul on Thursday, 15 December 2005 to observe the trial of Turkish author Orhan Pamuk.

Twelfth anniversary of the Alevis massacre in Sivas: Museum as a gesture of reconciliation30.06.2005 | Each year the Alevis commemorate the horrible events in Sivas. And each year they wait for the Turkish state to acknowledge their sorrow. So far it has been in vain. Today the hotel where the massacre took place is a kebab restaurant and there is nothing there to acknowledge the tragedy.

Northern Cyprus is on the right track: Greens congratulate President Talat on his inauguration22.04.2005 | Northern Cyprus will see a new president on Sunday and with it the chance for a new political era. The clear election victory of the former head of government Mehmet Ali Talat is a very positive sign and a great opportunity for the future of the island.

Writer Pamuk threatened following comments about Turkey's past: Greens ask Erdogan to step up efforts to defend free speech07.04.2005 | Members of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament have written to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and urged him to better protect freedom of expression in Turkey. Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Joost Lagendijk and Cem Özdemir were motivated to write the letter by a recent hate campaign towards prominent novelist Orhan Pamuk.

Luxemburg Presidency's positive reaction: Parliament to review EU terror list02.02.2005 | The Presidency's reaction to our suggestion was very positive. By integrating the Parliament in the process, there is hope for increased transparency and the reconciliation of Europe's security interests with the humane protection of refugees.

For a better second term of US President Bush: Strengthen international cooperation and diplomacy19.01.2005 | Emancipated from the need to be re-elected, American Presidents are freer to form the agenda of their second term. I hope that George W. Bush uses this room to manoeuver to reinvigorate the transatlantic relationship. The placement of known transatlanticists in key State Department posts gives hope of better times to come.

Transatlantic relations: Time for a new Chapter12.01.2005 | It is high time to open a positive new chapter in the transatlantic relationship, casting the previous one, marred by discord and stalwart conflict, aside. The re-election of George W. Bush does not make our cooperation any easier; however, we as Europeans or Americans cannot afford four more cold years of discord. The world's agenda is simply too pressing.

Press conference on Alevi sites of worship: Alevi present 100.000 signatures for recognition of their worship sites15.12.2004 | Wednesday, 15 December @14.30 European Parliament, Strasbourg Following the European Commission´s report on October 6, 2004, the Alevi Union Europe together with the Alevi Federation of Turkey undertook a signature campaign pushing for the Turkish government's recognition of Cem Houses as Alevi sites of worship.

Turkey's accession to the EU: Greens/EFA call for MEPs to back opening of membership talks09.12.2004 | The Eurlings report on Turkey's progress towards accession is, at the moment, fair and balanced. Unless it is radically amended before the vote, my Group will support it in plenary next week. The report is not glowing about Turkey's reforms and nor should it be.

Invitation - press conference: Turkey's progress towards accession08.12.2004 | Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Cem Özdemir Member of the joint EU-Turkey parliamentary delegation Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee

Guantánamo Bay: The U.S. Administration Needs to Act on the Red Cross Report01.12.2004 | The report confirms the longstanding assumption that torture and wrongful handling of prisoners is occurring at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Thorough investigation of Ukraine elections needed: Parliamentary delegation should go to the Ukraine24.11.2004 | Widespread allegations of fraud and manipulation during the second round of the presidential elections in the Ukraine have been confirmed by independent observers. Therefore we ask the Ukrainian Government to review as soon as possible both the pooling and the counting process.

Letter to Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül: Greens ask Gül about missing Bulgarian seamen20.10.2004 | Members of the Greens EFA Group in the European Parliament today asked Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül to set the record straight on the whereabouts of 14 Bulgarian sailors whose boat, the 'Hera', sank under mysterious circumstances in the Black Sea in February this year. Five other sailors died in the sinking, the details of which have produced speculation that Turkish and Russian submarines were involved.

Turkey in the EU: a common future?: Greens open Istanbul conference with promise of an honest but difficult debate19.10.2004 | We plan to explore what our expectations are of Turkey and what this country expects from us. Turkey should not be calling for equal treatment - they should be calling for special treatment. Turkey is a country of 70 million people and of great importance to Europe - but its integration into the EU is not comparable to that of Malta or Bulgaria or Bosnia.

Press invitation: Opening press conference of the Greens/EFA conference 'EU and Turkey: A common future?'15.10.2004 | You are invited to the opening press conference of the Greens/EFA conference "EU and Turkey: A common future?"

Turkey's accession to the EU: Greens favour rapid opening of negotiations06.10.2004 | The Greens welcome the Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Turkey. Negotiations should start soon and must be 'open' rather than 'open-ended', which means that a positive conclusion, though welcome, is not assured.

Press conference: European Commission's recommendations on accession negotiations with Turkey05.10.2004 | Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group and Cem Özdemir, German Green MEP, invite you to a press conference on the European Commission's recommendations on accession negotiations with Turkey.

Greens/EFA conference on Turkish accession to the EU: Accreditation now open for Istanbul conference01.10.2004 | Online accreditation is now open for the Greens/EFA conference 'Turkey in the EU: a common future?' which takes place in the Hilton Hotel, Istanbul, 19-22 October 2004. Members of the media can register for the conference online at:

Greens/EFA Conference in Istanbul, 19 - 22 October: Turkey in the EU: a common future?24.09.2004 | The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament will hold a conference on the question of Turkey's accession to the European Union in Istanbul. The conference takes place before EU leaders make a final decision on the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey on 17 December 2008.

Istanbul: my mother's city12.02.2004 | Cem Özdemir is a child of Istanbul who became Germany’s first member of parliament of Turkish origin. The terrorist bombs of November 2003, he writes, attack the city’s most precious inheritance: its multicultural, tolerant heart.