EESC President

The European Economic and Social Committee expresses deep concern over the recent imprisonment of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu. This development raises serious questions about the state of democratic governance, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental freedoms in Türkiye.

Three years ago, Russia launched its brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, an attack not just on a sovereign nation but on fundamental values of democracy, human dignity, and the rules-based international order. As we mark this anniversary, we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience in defending their country and the principles that bind us together as Europeans. Since the first day of this invasion, the EESC, its members, and the European civil society it represents have stood by Ukraine - not only symbolically but with concrete action.