In Brussels on the 28th March 2014 IKV Delegation consisting of IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan, Vice President Prof. Dr. Halûk Kabaalioğlu, Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray and Director of TOBB’s EU Department Mustafa Bayburtlu, met with His Excellency Ambassador Stefano Manservisi, who is newly appointed as the Head of EU Delegation to Turkey. Ambassador Manservisi will officially take office on the 16th April 2014.

IKV Delegation congratulated His Excellency Ambassador Manservisi for his new appointment as the Head of EU Delegation to Turkey. Our Delegation gave information on the foreseen activities, projects and objectives by IKV for the next two years and expressed their wish to further enhance their cooperation with the EU Delegation to Turkey though joint projects.

Head of EU Delegation to Turkey Ambassador His Excellency Stefano Manaservisi, who will officially take office on the 16th April 2014, informed IKV delegation about his priority areas for this presidency. Within this framework, Ambassador Manservisi explained that one of his main priorities would be the Readmission Agreement between Turkey and the European Union and the visa liberalization dialogue.  He further ensured that his team will follow closely Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, especially within the perspective of further economic integration.  In this regard, Ambassador Manservisi explained that they will focus mainly on the Customs Union and the undergoing negotiations between the European Union and the United Stated within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Ambassador Stefano Manservisi, has been working in European Commission since 1983. Ambassador Manservisi led the cabinet of Romano Prodi, when he was former President of the European Commission. Since July 2010, Ambassador Manservisi was the Director-General at the head of the Home Affairs Directorate where he played an active role in the initiation of the visa liberalization dialogue between Turkey and EU and in the  negotiation processs and signature of the Readmission Agreement. Ambassador Manservisi has worked for many years in the field of implementation of EU policies such as Schengen Area, immigration policy, fight against terrorism and human trafficking.

We wish success to the Head of EU Delegation to Turkey His Excellency Ambassador Stefano Manservisi in his mission in Turkey and welcome him to our country.