"On the occasion of Turkey's Journalists Day, the Ad hoc Delegation would like to congratulate all journalists in Turkey for their professionalism and dedication, and to pass on to them its best wishes for the year to come.
The Ad hoc Delegation for the Observation of Trials of Journalists was established in 2011 by the European Parliament in response to concerns expressed about the situation of press freedoms in Turkey. Since then, we have established a fruitful dialogue with journalists, lawyers, civil society and Turkish authorities. We are grateful for this spirit of openness and cooperation, and we look forward to further strengthening this relationship.
The Journalists Day is an important recognition of the essential role journalists play in any democracy. It is also a reminder that in Turkey, the EU and elsewhere, the freedom of expression is a cause which should always unite us."