On 27 February 2018, IKV organised a meeting to discuss Turkey-EU relations in Sofia; the capital of Bulgaria that holds the Council of the EU Presidency.

The meeting which was an integral part of IKV’s “EU Presidencies Project” was hosted by University of National and World Economy. The opening speeches were delivered by the university’s Rector Prof. Dr. Statty Stattev and IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu. Also, the panel discussion was moderated by IKV Vice-Chairman Prof. Dr. Halûk Kabaalioğlu.

Following the short background information regarding the history of Turkey-EU relations, Prof. Dr. Kabaalioğlu gave the floor to Bulgarian European Studies Association President Prof. Dr. Dimitar Hadjinikolov. After Prof. Dr. Hadjinikolov’s presentation investigating economic and trade relations between Turkey and the EU, Head of University of National and World Economy’s International Relations Department Assoc. Prof. Plamen Ralchev touched upon the political and security dimensions of Turkey-Bulgaria relations.

The first panelist of the second session, IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas elucidated the structural problems of Turkey-EU Customs Union and the reasons for its modernisation. The second panelist of the session, Ankara University EU Research Center Director Prof. Dr. Sanem Baykal, expressed that association relation between Turkey and the EU has been based upon common values and interests since its establishment. Besides, Prof. Dr. Baykal underlined the need to evaluate the current developments in the EU and Turkey-EU relations with some insights and future prospects.