PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN:

"IKV Is one of the most Important actors of Turkey’s EU journey’’

At IKV’s 50^th anniversary ceremony held in Istanbul on the 9^th May 2015, at the beginning of his speech, President Erdoğan thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the event.

President Erdoğan also thanked IKV for its contributions since 1965 to Turkey’s EU journey. Giving his best wishes to those who have worked at IKV and contributed to the improvement of Turkey-EU relations, President Erdoğan also congratulated the three former Chairman and Founding Member who were present to whom a plaque was given in memory of IKV’s 50th anniversary.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed on these following issues during his speech:

‘’IKV Is one of the most Important actors of Turkey’s EU journey’’

President Erdoğan stressed on the importance of choosing this day since it’s the 65^th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration that laid the foundations of the European Peace Project and the 9 May Europe Day. President Erdoğan stressed that this programme and all other events that will be organized for IKV’s 50^th anniversary would help contribute to discuss comprehensively Turkey-EU relations. President Erdoğan said that IKV celebrating its 50^th anniversary is one of the most important actors of Turkey’s EU journey. While witnessing every stage in Turkey-EU relations with its crises as well as celebrations, IKV members helped contribute to overcome obstacles with its informative activities aiming to raise awareness on this process among Turkish private sector and the public.

President Erdoğan stated that it is a well-known fact today that EU membership process cannot be carried out solely by government bodies and he declared the importance of companions like IKV for all institutions especially for the Ministry of EU Affairs. President Erdoğan said the following: “I believe that this companionship will continue till Turkey’s EU membership is achieved. In order to reach our goal, we will sustain this long and difficult struggle with cooperation and willingness”.

"EU MEMBERHIP IS STRATEGIC FOR TURKEY"

Expressing that IKV is one of the most significant actors of Turkey's EU journey, President Erdoğan stated that there has been 3 important turning points in this journey; the Ankara Agreement in 1963, the establishment of a Customs Union in 1996 and the confirmation of Turkey's candidacy for EU membership at the Helsinki Summit in 1999. Voicing that the accession process has started 10 years ago, President Erdoğan explained that "14 chapters have been opened in the negotiations process that started in 2005. One of them, the 25^th chapter entitled Science and Research has been provisionally closed. All other chapters, which should be opened, are blocked due to political reasons. We have been determined to maintain the negotiations process even with its ups and downs in the last 10 years. We, as Turkey, always express that we approach strategically to EU membership. We are sorry to witness that the union does not adopt a united and consistent attitude while we maintain our determined stance."

“TURKEY IS A PART OF EUROPE AND ASIA”

Criticizing those, who obstruct the process by stating that "The EU is for the European Continent, Turkey is in Asia minor, Turkey should continue being a bridge between East and West," President Erdoğan underscored that Turkey is located in both Europe and Asia and reminded that there are EU members that are not located in Europe.

President Erdoğan also said: "There are chapters in accession negotiations which cannot be opened because of political reasons. Chapter 23 on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights is one of the blocked chapters and all of EU Member States that I visited agree to overcome this blockage. Chapter 24 on Justice, Freedom and Security is determined as the first chapter to open and the last one to close."

 “AFTER THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY ENERGY CHAPTER IS STILL BLOCKED”

Emphasizing that the blocked chapters are the backbone of the accession process and that they are directly related to the political reform process, President Erdoğan said the following:  “The EU’s criticism directed at Turkey is mainly related to these chapters. On one hand they criticize Turkey; on the other hand they prevent Turkey’s integration to the EU acquis by blocking these chapters. If you care about these chapters so much, open them immediately so that Turkey can realize a transformation in accordance with them. Moreover Chapter 17 on Economic and Monetary Policy, which does not have any opening criteria, cannot be opened to negotiations. We also cannot understand why Chapter 15 on Energy is still blocked, although the negative effects of the Ukrainian crisis underlined the importance of cooperation in the area of energy.”

President Erdoğan drew attention to the failure of the Nabucco project, although the agreements were signed in Ankara, the EU, which is the financially responsible partner, could not find the suppliers for the project.

“DIVERSIFICATION IS RICHNESS IN ENERGY”

Underscoring that Turkey has kept its promise in terms of transit, President Erdoğan explained the following: "They could not take the necessary steps in the Nabucco project. Afterwards, we took the necessary steps with TANAP. The construction is underway. We have completed the tender process. The construction vehicles have started working. There is another step developing right now:  the Turkish Stream. An EU member state said no to the South Stream Project. The Russian Federation proposed this to us. We said 'We believe diversification is richness in energy, we can talk' and we are talking."

 “IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE CHAPTER 31 CLOSED”

President Erdoğan, claimed that in a period of changing regional dynamics it is unacceptable not to open Chapter 31 on Foreign Security and Defence Policy to negotiations.  Reminding that almost all of the EU Member States are also NATO members, President Erdogan said the following: “We're together here; why do you prevent it? We should act together in solidarity. However, they still have difficulty making a decision. Such attitudes make us question whether the sincerity and the approach of the EU towards Turkey are pure."

"THE EU NEEDS TURKEY NOW MORE THAN EVER"

Expressing that Turkey's EU accession should be viewed differently in the light of the regional and international developments, President Erdoğan emphasized the following: "Turkey and the EU have to act together in face of the developments in our region from Syria to Ukraine, from the Middle East to North Africa. There is no other way. The EU needs Turkey now more than ever because of the effects of the global financial crisis and the fragility of its internal dynamics. Because Turkey is like a monument of security and peace with its economic performance and political stability despite being located in a turbulent geography where critical developments have taken place."

President Erdoğan mentioned that Turkey is able to continue its growth, its records in exports and vast investments in infrastructure despite the problems and conflict in its neighbours. President Erdoğan also stated that increase in industrial production in March by 4.7 percent supports the expectations on higher level of growth than anticipated.

"THE EU SHOULD FURTHER IMPROVE ITS RELATIONS WITH TURKEY INSTEAD OF EXCLUDING IT"

Stating that the EU continues to lose blood due to political turbulences and its introverted policies, President Erdoğan explained the following: "The Union needs to adopt a vision that befits its position as a global power. It needs to conduct the enlargement negotiations in a consistent, principled and fair way. Our goal for a new Turkey is not independent of the EU. We believe that we can achieve our goal for a new Turkey, which means more powerful, prosperous and democratic Turkey, faster through full accession to the EU. We have sustained the relations between Turkey and the EU so far based on a win-win strategy. We would like to continue with the same understanding. Turkey and the EU share a common ground in a wide array of areas ranging from foreign policy, economic and commercial relations, security and border management to employment and migration policies. The conflicts in our region require the EU to further improve its relations with Turkey instead of excluding it. The security of the EU begins at our Eastern borders, not the Western ones. All members and bodies of the EU should understand this very well. Besides, Turkey is key to not only political but also to the economic stability of the EU".

“AN EU, THAT EXCLUDES TURKEY, CANNOT EVEN MAINTAIN ITS POSITION AS A REGIONAL POWER LET ALONE A GLOBAL ONE”

Declaring that he will later on tackle these difficulties they have faced in the accession process when writing a book, President Erdoğan stated that "Despite all these, the EU is still our biggest trade partner. 40% of our foreign trade is with EU countries," thus expressing his belief that an EU, that excludes Turkey, cannot even maintain its position as a regional power let alone a global one.

“OUR NATION IS DETERMINING OUR EU VISION”

Indicating that it is the nation who determines Turkey’s perspective and roadmap in its relations with the EU, President Erdoğan explained that “We should not lose our self-confidence at this point. We have taken all our steps in line with the requests and demands of our nation. Similarly, we have undertaken the reforms based on the consent and approval of our nation. Our subsequent roadmap will certainly be drawn by our nation.” Stating that Turkey wants to move the negotiations process to a different level and pointing out that since 18 September 2014 a new vision has been put forward, President Erdoğan indicated that Turkey’s new EU strategy is based on three foundations namely; "determination in the political reform process", "continuity in socio-economic transformation" and "effectiveness in communication".

“WE NEED PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL”

Emphasizing that for the current impasse to be resolved to enable progress in the accession process the new vision should be adopted and owned by Turkey’s counterparts, President Erdoğan indicated that the relevant ministries as well as civil society organizations such as IKV have an important responsibility in this process.

Highlighting that IKV has been carrying out exemplary activities since 1965, President Erdoğan said: “We have greatly benefitted from these activities; today however, this support and these contributions need to be stepped up and pushed forward in a coordinated manner. An ambitious public diplomacy is needed. This should be at the international level, rather than the national level. We should be determined, enthusiastic and complete the process like this. We need to intensify our efforts within the framework of Turkey’s EU vision, ensuring that our European friends approach the issue from a healthier perspective. We cannot let old fears, hesitations, unproductive discussions and political ambitions of a few countries take our relations with the EU hostage. I trust and believe in you at this point. 12 years ago when we came to power, nearly no chapter was opened. We were at such a point. Despite that, we started a resistance. At that time, I mean 12 years ago, there were 15 members in the EU. Since then 13 new members have been admitted. But none of these 13 members can in no way compare to Turkey, in any respect. These countries were admitted to the EU based on political decisions and do not have what it takes to fulfil the requirements of the EU acquis. But we have, because we did not approach the issue from an angle of ‘being admitted or not being admitted’ we said ‘These are necessary and we should undertake them”.

President Erdoğan thanked IKV for their efforts and contributions in Turkey's accession process to the EU and celebrated their 50^th anniversary and 9 May Europe Day.