Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu hosted Ömer Cihad Vardan and his delegation consisting of Vice-Presidents Prof. Dr. Halûk Kabaalioğlu and Zeynep Bodur Okyay; Member of the Executive Board Responsible for Accounts Mehmet Nuri Görenoğlu; Member of the Executive Board Yavuz Canevi; Members of the Board of Directors Tuğrul Kudatgobilik, Ilhan Soylu and Ilyas Gençoğlu and IKV’s Audit Committee Member Kenan Atalay;  TOBB’s Head of EU Department Mustafa Bayburtlu and IKV Secretary General Çiğdem Nas.

“IKV, Our Most Valuable Partner”

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu thanked IKV Board of Directors for their visit and stated that IKV has been the most valuable and important partner for the Ministry with regard to Turkey’s EU accession process. Minister Çavuşoğlu pointed out that there has been a new momentum in the EU accession process and underlined the importance of the official visits made to EU institutions and to some EU Member States in January. He further emphasized on the importance for Turkey to undergo the necessary reforms especially at a time when Turkey-EU relations have gained momentum.

“We acknowledge your support”

Following closely all the works carried out by IKV, Minister for EU Affairs Çavuşoğlu acknowledged the support IKV has showed in Turkey’s EU accession process.  In this regard, he explained that the studies conducted by IKV constituted important reference materials.

During the meeting Minister Çavuşoğlu informed IKV delegation on the latest developments the Ministry for EU Affairs was focusing on. The Ministry was expecting soon the opening of the chapters on “Judiciary and Fundamental rights” and on “Justice, Freedom and Security” as well as the chapters of “Energy” and “Economic and Monetary Policy” which reveal to be of great importance not only for Turkey but also for the European Union. Minister Çavuşoğlu further pointed out to the importance of IKV’s supporting role as a civil society. Minister for EU Affairs praised IKV especially for its works on the visa.  The Ministry was hoping that the visa liberalization would be achieved within the next three years and half.

49 years of experience

IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan congratulated Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu for his appointment as Minister in charge of EU Affairs. Chairman Vardan also ensured that IKV would continue to give its support to the Ministry in Turkey’s EU accession process. He also gave information on the future activities, projects and objectives by IKV for the next two years.

“Looking to further enhancement of cooperation between IKV and the Ministry”

Chairman Vardan ensured that that works conducted by IKV and the activities carried by the Ministry were complementary and that the Foundation would continue to support Turkey’s EU accession process as it did in the past. Chairman Vardan declared that all members of the Foundation were looking forward to further enhancement of cooperation with the Ministry of EU Affairs. Furthermore he explained that IKV as a long-established civil society specialized in EU process would provide all kind of supports within Turkey’s aim to be represented in the European Union and to become a member of the Union.