IKV hosted a webinar entitled “European Identity and the Future of Europe" as part of the “Future of Europe and Turkey” webinar series held with the support of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs and in association with Istanbul University FUTUREU Jean Monnet Module on 24 June 2021. IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu and FUTUREU Jean Monnet Module Chair Assoc. Prof. Özgün Erler Bayır delivered the opening speeches of the webinar which was moderated by IKV Deputy Secretary General M. Gökhan Kilit.

Highlighting the EU as a unique integration model, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu referred to the problems caused by the unanimity principle in EU foreign policy decision-making and emphasized the need for a more effective, fast, and democratic approach in this regard. Zeytinoğlu also underlined the importance of the European Council meeting to be held on 24-25 June for Turkey-EU relations and stated that Turkey's role should also be taken into account in the discussion on the future of Europe. Delivering the second opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgün Erler Bayır introduced the FUTUREU Jean Monnet Module and indicated that the EU could deepen integration in order to address the challenges posed by migration, climate change, populism, and the COVID-19 crisis.

In the panel session, distinguished speakers from Turkey and abroad discussed the future of the EU on the basis of values and identity with a particular focus on Turkey’s role. Examining the historical evolution of European identity in her speech, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for Relations with the EU Ambassador Başak Türkoğlu indicated that a strong European identity was often linked to the objective of political union. Head of the Center for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at the German Institute for International and Security Studies (SWP), Günter Seufert analysed European identity as a two-fold concept and pointed out to the clash between its two dimensions consisting of values enshrined in the Copenhagen criteria and historical legacies. Director of the European Institute at Istanbul Bilgi University Prof. Ayhan Kaya started his remarks by providing a historical overview of the concept of European identity and underscored that Europe would be stronger if it is more open and would be bound to lose if it shut itself to the outside world. Head of the Middle East and Africa Program at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) Karol Wasilewski engaged in a foresight exercise on the future of the Europe in 2030 whereby he focused on a scenario based on closer integration with increasing emphasis on democracy and examined Turkey’s possible role. Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House Hans Kundnani referred to populism as a prominent element in the discussions on European identity and analysed the differences between ethnic identity and cultural identity. Finally, IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas discussed European identity from the perspective of Turkey-EU relations. Nas pointed out that the description of Greece by the EU leadership as a shield has created a negative perception. Nas highlighted that a majority of the public is in favour of the EU membership as seen in the annual public opinion surveys that conducted by IKV. The webinar ended with a Q-A session.