IKV tackled Turkey-EU relations at the several events organized by Denizli Chamber of Industry (DSO) and Denizli EU Information Centre on 26 January 2016.

IKV gave a conference entitled “A Horizon Tour on Turkey-EU Relations: Myths vs. Facts and Latest Developments” at Pamukkale University in cooperation with Denizli EU Information Centre. Recent developments in Turkey-EU relations, the assessment of the Turkey Progress Report 2015, EU financial funds and the modernization of the Customs Union were the main topics discussed at the conference.

Following the opening speech delivered by DSO Chairman Mustafa Keçeci, the first speaker of panel, IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas revealed information on the steps and current situation in the Turkey-EU negotiations process and the challenges ahead in Turkey-EU relations. Assessing the current state of play in the negotiations, IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Nas drew the attention to the slow pace of the negotiations process. However, she also explained that the signature of the Readmission Agreement and the decision to modernize the Customs Union gave further impetus to Turkey-EU relations. She also stated that without doubt the refugee crisis would constitute an important item of Turkey-EU relations’ agenda in the upcoming periods.

In her presentation, IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Nas also touched upon how the EU was perceived in the Turkish public opinion and about some common misperceptions. In this respect, she referred to the results of a public opinion survey was conducted under IKV activities which aimed at identifying the level of information and awareness among the Turkish public opinion on EU and further analyzing the support for Turkey’s EU membership. According to the results of the survey, While 4 out of 5 respondents to the survey have stated that they have heard of the EU before, 85% of respondents declared that they have “none” or “a little” knowledge of the EU.  The survey also shows that although 61.8% of the Turkish public opinion supports Turkey’s EU membership, only 30% of the respondents believe that Turkey will become a member of the EU.

IKV Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray informed participants regarding the changes occurring in the world trading system. He put special emphasis on Asia which is becoming an important market for consumers and  a key centre of production. With the changes in the production structure and trade, IKV Brussels Representative Nuray further referred to the importance gained by the global value chains. In this respect, he underlined that Turkey need to become part of this global value chains.

In her presentation, IKV Senior Researcher Selen Akses informed the participants about the need to update the Customs Union and the process which awaits Turkey.  In this respect, Senior Researcher Akses pointed out to the problems encountered within the current way of functioning of the Customs Union and the need arose to upgrade the Customs Union. The need to revise the framework and the scope of the Customs Union has arisen especially due to changes in the world trading systems and also in Turkey and EU’s economic and trade interests.  

IKV Senior Researcher Akses stressed that although Turkey has to align its trade policy with the EU’s preferential trade regime; Turkey is not included in the decision-making process and the negotiations conducted by the EU with third countries.  This creates an asymmetric situation in disfavour of Turkey. Following the decision in May to upgrade the Customs Union, both parties will conduct impact assessments and consultation process with relevant stakeholders.

Lastly, Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas gave information on EU financial aids such as IPA funds and EU Programmes (Horizon 2020, Creative Europe, COSME, EaSI, Erasmus+, Customs 2020 and Fiscalis 2020).

After the conference, IKV Delegation assisted in the DSO Parliamentary Assembly. At this meeting which was chaired by DSO President of Assembly Mehmet Tosunoğlu and DSO Chairman Müjdat Keçeci, current situations of Turkey-AB relations, EU financial funds, the modernisation process of Customs Union and TTIP effects on Turkey were discussed. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Nas also informed about IKV’s working areas and its activities.

In addition to the Conference at Pamukkale University and DSO Parliamentary Assembly, IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, IKV Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray and DSO Chairman Müjdat Keçeci assesse current situation on Turkey-EU relations for the local channel DRT.