At the general elections which were held on 1 November 2015, the electors made their choice in favour of a single party government. Turkish people gave the authority to the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to ensure stability, build a secure environment and put the economy back on track. We expect that the new government about to be formed will tackle rapidly Turkey’s urgent issues which are the prevention of terrorism, pursue of democratisation process, building of a free and secure environment and the realization of political and economic reforms. We do hope that the four parties which will be represented within the Grand National Assembly of Turkey will work in coordination in tackling the growing trend of polarisation which threatens the creation of a stable and secure environment and social peace and harmony.

In this period, our relations with the EU are experiencing a new momentum as a result of stronger cooperation of the ongoing refugee crisis. The 2015 Progress Report prepared by the European Commission is expected to be published in the upcoming days. This new period which is about to begin with the EU offers a new window of opportunity for our country’s development with new steps taken in the negotiations process, the revision of the Customs Union and progress in the Visa Liberalization Dialogue. We do wish that the new government which is about to take office will give further impetus to political and economic reforms and will seek to further progress within the framework of Turkey’s EU perspective.  

Ayhan ZEYTİNOĞLU

IKV Chairman