IKV’s 54^th General Council Meeting was held on 26 July 2016 in Istanbul with the participation of the chairmen of the trustee organisations, representatives and delegates from IKV’s supporters. The chairmanship of the council was held by IKV Vice-Chairman and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Yeditepe University Prof. Halûk Kabaalioğlu who was assisted by IKV Board of Directors Member İsmail Gülle. IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made the opening remarks where he briefed the participants about the activities conducted by IKV during the period covering July 2015 and July 2016.

In his speech, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu underlined that the illegal coup attempt against our State and our Government conducted by a group penetrating the honourable Turkish Armed Forces on the evening of 15 July 2016, has been prevented thanks to the tough stance shown by all segments of the Turkish people in the name of protecting Turkey’s democracy. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu highlighted the critical importance to take the necessary measures in order to root away the treacherous networks which have taken part in certain parts of the State in order to prevent such actions in the future to repeat.

Chairman Zeytinoğlu also reminded that as IKV, we have taken our ranks in a joint declaration condemning the coup attempt issued under the coordination of TOBB at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with the participation of 538 trade unions, confederations, trade bodies and civil society organisations.  Explaining that as civil society organisations, we are opposed to any attempt or intervention upon our democratic system, Chairman Zeytinoğlu also added that our foundation would continue to stand for democracy and he also stressed the importance of the role of ordinary citizens in that respect.

Chairman Zeytinoğlu added the following: “Our expectation is to get over this extraordinary period rapidly and that our democratic system along with all our institutions and principles will once more be back on track and that we can pursue our efforts towards our EU integration process. We are hoping to further develop our relations with the EU which have been revitalised with the refugee agreement and the visa liberalisation process. As such, we are hoping that the visa liberalisation process can be finalised in October as previously planned”.

At the opening session of the General Council, TOBB Vice-Chairman Halim Mete, ISO Chairman Erdal Bahçıvan, ISTIB Chairman Ali Kopuz, IKHIB Chairman İsmail Gülle, TIM Deputy Chairman Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu and TISK Secretary-General Bülent Pirler also gave a speech. As for the representatives of the trustee organisations which have also expressed their strong stance against the coup attempt, they indicated that IKV will continue to play a critical role as “Turkey’s EU Expert” in the next period during which Turkey’s EU membership perspective will be more at the forefront.