A visa liberalisation expert panel took place at the European Parliament on 22 June 2016 evaluating the socio-economic effects of visa liberalisation on Turkey and the EU. In the event chaired by MEP Ismail Ertug, Turkey’s visa liberalisation process to the EU and its potential effects and ramifications with respect to social, economic and business relations were elaborated by expert speakers.

In his opening speech, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the EU Ambassador H.E. Selim Yenel noted Turkey’s efforts at passing the reforms necessary to fulfil the 72 criteria embodied in the visa liberalisation roadmap. IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Ciğdem Nas referred to the positive effects that visa liberalisation would have on business relations between Turkey and the EU as well as  on the overall contribution to Turkey EU relations as a symbolic and psychological factor. Other participants at the panel included Alexandra Stiglmayer from European Stability Initiative, TURKONFED Brussels Representative Dilek Aydın, DEIK Communications Director Melih Özsöz and MUSIAD Brussels Representative Alperen Özdemir.