IKV Board of Directors visited President of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Çiçek and Chair of the Committee on EU Harmonization Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tekelioğlu on the 3rd February 2014. An IKV delegation consisting of IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan; Vice-President Prof. Dr. Halûk Kabaalioğlu; Member of the Executive Board Responsible for Accounts Mehmet Nuri Görenoğlu; Members of the Board of Directors, Ahmet Sayar, Ilhan Soylu, Şükrü Alkan, IKV’s Audit Committee Member Hasan Hüseyin Coşkun and IKV Secretary General Assoc. Dr. Cigdem Nas was received by the President of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Çiçek in Ankara. During this meeting, the delegation gave information on the foreseen activities, projects and objectives by IKV for the next two years. They have also discussed the latest development in regards to Turkey's EU accession.

During the meeting, President of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Çiçek stated that Turkey’s aim to join the European Union is part of the state policy and he ensured that this remained a high priority for Turkey. Çiçek emphasized on the important task fulfilled by IKV as a civil society organization. He further stated that the works and projects conducted by IKV within Turkey’s EU accession process are highly appreciated in Turkey. President of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Çiçek also stressed the important role assumed by the Parliament in Turkey’s preparation for EU membership, He also touched upon the fact that Turkey is passing through a critical process thus emphasising on the importance of Turkey’s EU membership which constitutes an important anchor for strengthening of the principles of democratization and the rule of law.

President of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Çiçek stressed that the EU-Turkey negotiation process is a win-win situation for both Turkey and the European Union. During the discussion, President of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Çiçek pointed out that unfortunately some EU Member States continued to obstruct Turkey’s EU accession process. As a result, this increased the uncertainty on when the other chapters will be opened to negotiation. Within this context, Cemil Cicek drew also the attention to the decrease of support shown by Turkish citizens to this EU accession process.

At the meeting, IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan gave information on the activities, and projects carried out by IKV.  Chairman Vardan reassured that the year 2014 would constitute a milestone in Turkey’s relation with the European Union. On the one hand, the opening of a new negotiating chapter along with the signature of the Readmission Agreement and the launch of the visa liberalization dialogue in 2013, and on the other hand, Prime Minister Erdoğan’s visit to Brussels, President Abdullah Gül’s visit to Italy as well as the official visit of Prime Minister Erdoğan to Germany in the beginning of 2014 show the new momentum witnessed lately in Turkey’s EU negotiation process. By emphasizing on the role that IKV should play in this process, Chairman Vardan drew the attention to the importance of strengthening the cooperation between the foundation, the Parliament, the government and relevant Ministers.

Following the meeting held with the President of the Turkish Parliament, IKV delegation was received by the Chair of the Committee on EU Harmonization Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tekelioğlu who informed the delegation about the works conducted by his Committee. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tekelioğlu explained that the Committee had played a major role when Turkey accepted various new legislations prepared to fulfil the Copenhagen Criteria. He also underlined that the Committee was supporting the works carried out by non-governmental organizations and that they give great importance to exchanging views with the civil society. Within this framework, IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan has expressed that IKV which has been a specialized institution in EU Affairs for nearly fifty years, would be glad to participate in the meetings of the Committee and to contribute to works conducted within the harmonization process.