IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan visited on the 19th August 2014 his Excellency Ambassador Rauf Engin Soysal who has been newly appointed as the Undersecretary of Minister for EU Affairs. Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan was accompanied by IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas during the meeting.

Wishing success to Ambassador Soysal for his new mission, IKV Chairman Vardan gave detailed information on the activities carried out by IKV and the new projects foreseen by the foundation in regards to Turkey-EU relations. Pointing out that IKV supports Turkey’s EU accession process; IKV Chairman stressed the importance to accelerate the negotiations and to complete the accession process in a reasonable timeframe.

IKV Chairman Vardan also explained that IKV was giving a great importance to the visa issue. Within this framework, IKV works to enable the completion of the visa liberalization process within three years following the signature of the Readmission Agreement thus to lift the visa barriers encountered by Turkish citizens. 

The Undersecretary of Ministry for EU Affairs his Excellency Ambassador Engin Soysal stated that he is well acquainted with the works carried by IKV. His Excellency Ambassador Soysal pointed out that IKV is one of the closest cooperation partners of the Ministry for EU Affairs during Turkey’s EU accession process. Ambassador Soysal stressed that Turkey’s aim to join the EU is a project that connects all layers of society and that Turkey, as whole country, should stay focused on this target. In this regard, IKV Chairman Vardan also pointed out that Turkey’s aim to become an EU member is an important “Project of Turkey”. He further stated that Turkey should have already been a member of the EU.

During the meeting IKV Chairman Vardan also stated that in IKV was preparing to celebrate next year its 50th anniversary with various projects and activities.

In the end of the meeting Undersecretary of Ministry for EU Affairs Engin Soysal and IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan presented their greetings and expressed their wish to further enhance their cooperation.