Within the scope of the joint project of IKV and EP Turkey Forum, assistants of some MEPs paid a working visit to Istanbul on 31 October-2 November. On the second day of the visit, 1 November 2018, the committee in accompany with had contacts in Ankara. The committee paid visits to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı and Chairman of Grand National Assembly of Turkey Committee on EU Harmonisation Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar.

Within the scope of Ankara contacts, the meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Minister Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı took place at Directorate for EU Affairs. At the meeting, Secretary General of EP Turkey Forum Laura Batalla Adam, Member of European People’s Party (EPP) Franc Bogovic’s assistant Gregor Košir, Member of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Urmas Paet’s assistant Kati Parn, Member of Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats Claudia ?apardel’s assistant Catalina-Elena Prisacaru and Member of Socialists & Democrats Javi López’s assistant Aranzazu Calvera Cosculluela were accompanied by IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, IKV Research Director Çisel İleri and IKV Researcher Ahmet Ceran.

Following IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas’ brief introduction regarding the scope of the visit and the motivation of the project with the assistants of MEPs, Ambassador Kaymakcı shared his views and evaluations with the committee. He emphasised the importance of the modernisation of the Customs Union and visa liberalisation dialogue for the future of the bilateral relations. Ambassador Kaymacı shared his views on reforms that have been prioritised in the area of judiciary and fundamental rights. Ambassador Kaymakcı’s attribution to Reform Action Group that gathered after four years was remarkable.

Ambassador Kaymakcı expressed that the steps towards the harmonisation for EU norms accelerated not only within this framework, but also within the body of Ministry of Justice. Yet another important agenda item of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs was the EP Report which is expected to come up on the agenda in the following period.  Ambassador Kaymakcı iterated his expectations of a fair and unbiased report.

The committee comprised of MEPs’ assistants and IKV representatives paid their second visit to Chairman of the EU Harmonisation Committee of Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar. The main agenda item of the visit, which was hosted by Chairman of the EU Harmonisation Committee Gürpınar in TGNA Commissions Building, was the establishment of positive agenda in the Turkey-EU relations. Committee Chair Gülpınar started his assessments in which he stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, by underscoring the necessity for the increment of bilateral and multilateral contacts. While highlighting the necessary and significant steps taken during the restoration and the re-establishment of security period entered following the 15 July coup attempt, Gülpınar stated that acceleration in reforms was regained and indicated the Reform Action Meeting, and the accelerating preparations of Ministry of Justice for an action plan as an example. While reminding the importance of Turkey-EU cooperation on issues both Turkey and the EU faces such as local and global terror, migration flows and instability in the countries of the region, Gülpınar drew attention to environment and the protection of water resources as another critical area.  Committee Chair Gülpınar also remarked the necessity for the increment of dialogue bridges of similar nature in the forthcoming period. Committee’s visit to Ankara was concluded with the parliamentary tour in which important historical parts and the damaged areas due to 15 July coup attempt of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey were visited.