IKV DELEGATION MEETS THE HEAD OF EU DELEGATION TO TURKEY AMBASSADOR MANSERVISI

On 7 July 2014, IKV delegation led by the President of the Board of Directors of IKV, Mr. Ömer Cihad Vardan, consisting of IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, and Deputy-Secretary General, Mr. Melih Özsöz came together with Ambassador Manservisi. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Balcı and Güray Vural also joined the meeting which took place at the EU Delegation in Ankara.

During the meeting, the main focus was on the current state of the EU-Turkey accession negotiations. Ambassador Manservisi expressed Italy’s willingness in opening new chapters in Turkey’s accession negotiations during its EU presidency until the end of this year. He indicated that Chapter 19 on Social Policy and Employment is likely to be opened before the end of Italy’s six-month term in office. Additionally, Ambassador Manservisi affirmed that the decision taken by Turkish authorities to include the provision requiring 1% of the workers at a company to become syndicate members, into the Act on Trade Unions and Collective Labor Agreements, is welcomed by the EU which might in return lead to the opening of Chapter 19. Ambassador Manservisi mentioned the efforts of his Delegation to unblock Chapter 15 on Energy, which is currently blocked by the Greek Cypriot Administration. He pledged to make progress in opening Chapter 23 on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.

Ambassador Manservisi underscored that the 2014 Progress Report on Turkey, which will be published in October this year, will be the last one prepared by the current Commission. According to Ambassador Manservisi, the tone of the October report will be defined in a way aimed at redirecting the focus in the advancing and deepening the strategically important EU-Turkey relations. Pointing out that the new report will serve as a reference point that will define the basis which the new Commission will engage with Turkey, Manservisi stressed the importance of putting additional emphasis on the political reforms, strengthening consultations with the civil society and creating a suitable environment where the civil society is able to perform its role.

Furthermore, Ambassador Manservisi highlighted the importance of the step taken by Turkey with the ratification of the Turkey-EU Readmission Agreement in June 2014 and stated that the process will be closely monitored for the prospects of further progress. Ambassador Manservisi touched upon the impact that the misperceptions regarding the readmission agreement had in slackening the pace of the process. He stated that the remaining issues in this area can be resolved with Turkey’s fulfilment of the criteria laid down by the visa liberalization roadmap.

In addition, Ambassador Manservisi pledged to make the necessary efforts to coordinate with his Turkish counterparts to ensure that Turkey benefits from EU funding allocated through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) to the fullest extent possible.

During the meeting IKV President Mr. Ömer Cihad Vardan informed Ambassador Manservisi about the IKV and activities carried out by the IKV. He expressed his willingness for working in stronger cooperation and closer coordination with the EU Delegation. Mr. Vardan also informed Manservisi about the recently established FTA Information and Capacity Building Center, and called for support from the Delegation.