Turkish President Abdullah Gül hosted Ömer Cihad Vardan, the newly elected chairman of IKV at Tarabya Presidential Palace. IKV Chairman visited the President Gül with a delegation consisted of Vice-President Prof. Dr. Halûk Kabaalioğlu; Member of the Executive Board Responsible for Accounts Mehmet Nuri Görenoğlu; Members of the Executive Board, Yavuz Canevi and Hikmet Tanrıverdi; Members of the Board of Directors İlhan Soylu, İlyas Gençoğlu, Münir Üstün, Şükrü Alkan and Tuğrul Kudatgobilik; IKV’s Audit Committee Member Kenan Atalay and IKV Secretary General Çiğdem Nas.

Fifty years old Foundation

During his visit to President Abdullah Gül, Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan gave information on the aims, activities and projects carried out by IKV since its establishment in 1965. The Foundation will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2015 and IKV’s Brussels office will celebrate as well its thirtieth anniversary this year. IKV Chairman Vardan also informed the President Gül about the latest developments regarding Turkey-EU relations and shared information on the foreseen activities, projects and objectives by IKV for the next two years.

“A New Turning Point in the EU Process in 2014”

IKV Chairman ensured that the year 2014 would constitute a milestone in Turkey’s relation with the European Union and within this context he explained that important responsibilities awaited IKV.
Chairman Vardan touched upon the importance of the use this year of a more moderate tone in Turkey’s 2013 Progress Report, the opening to negotiations of Chapter 22, the signature of Readmission Agreement and the launch of visa liberalization dialogue. Furthermore, he also stressed on the importance of Prime Minister Erdoğan’s visits to Brussels and Germany, the official visit made by the French President to Turkey after 22 years as well as President Gül’s visit to Italy. During these high level visits, the possibility of opening the Chapters 23 and 24 to negotiations were also discussed.

“We will contribute to the Process”

IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan stated that IKV’s new Board of Directors was reflecting as a whole Turkey, since it was composed of valuable and experienced businessmen/women representing different cities, sectors, religions and backgrounds. IKV Chairman Vardan ensured that IKV will continue to support Turkey’s EU accession process which has gained momentum in 2014.  He further stated that they were hopeful regarding the opening to negotiations of Chapters 23 and 24.

“I’m expecting the same success shown in MÜSİAD”
President Abdullah Gül congratulated Ömer Cihad Vardan and the new Board of Directors for their nomination. President Gül also welcomed the election of Mr. Vardan as the new President of IKV; and expressed his confidence in Mr. Vardan in continuing his successful endeavors in his new position that he previously pioneered at MÜSİAD.

“Turkey’s already a European country”

President Gül stated that Turkey was already a European country and moved towards Europe throughout its 500-year history. He further stressed that Turkey was part of European history and that Europe continue to be important for Turkey today both in economic and political terms. He explained that Turkey’s aim to join the European Union was important to reach the high standards of European countries. Within this framework, President Gül underlined the fact that the European Union was not only about economics but also about rule of law and democratic standards.

“Turkey can reach the EU standards by preserving its own values”

President Gül stressed the importance of Turkey’s goal of achieving EU standards by conserving its own values, traditions and culture.  He further explained that in reality the values such as the rule of law and transparency praised by Europe were also part of our beliefs and culture. President told that the reforms undertaken to reach the final aim of becoming member of the European Union is as much important as the aim itself. In this framework, he ensured that even if some chapters will not be opened to negotiations, it was essential to carry out the reforms and harmonization process for Turkey’s benefit. He further explained that Turkey needs to be ready when the possibility for membership will arise.

 “Turkey’s Most Important Richness: Its Young and Dynamic Population”

When comparing Turkey to important world economies like Brazil and Russia, President Gül claimed that Turkey was very different from these countries. Although Turkey did not have any resources of oil and natural gas, it succeeded to become world’s sixteenth biggest economy. President Gül also expressed that Turkey’s most important asset was its young and dynamic population. He further pointed out that Turkey could reach its full potential only if it becomes a state that fully adopts the rule of law and democratic standards.

“IKV should take more innovative and encouraging initiatives”

President Gül pointed out that IKV need to take a more innovative approach and become more visible. In this regard, he explained that IKV should take more leading and constructive initiatives that would appeal to all levels of society.