A panel was organised in Antalya in cooperation between AKVAM (Akdeniz University EU Research Center) and ABKAD (EU Global Research Association) on 9 October 2015.  In the context of the panel entitled “Changing Perceptions in the membership process both in the EU and Turkey”, the perception of Turkey in the EU public opinion and the attitude and opinions of the Turkish public opinion regarding Turkey’s EU accession process were the main topics discussed.

The opening remarks were delivered by ABKAD Secretary General Derya Sevinç and AKVAM Director Prof. Erol Esen and the panel was chaired by Prof. Tuğrul Arat.

At the panel, Ministry for EU Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Burak Erdenir referred to the image problem in Turkey-EU relations. Whilst Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Kentmen from Izmir Economy University assessed the perception of Turkey in the EU public opinion, Assist. Prof. Ayşad Güdekli gave details regarding the perception of Turkey in the German press and the effects upon Turkey-EU relations in that respect.

As for IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, she gave a presentation regarding the perception of EU in the Turkish public opinion. In this respect, Assoc. Prof. Nas also revealed the results of a public opinion survey conducted by IKV in April 2015 which assess the level of support to the EU in Turkish public opinion.