The 60th General Assembly of IKV was held in Istanbul on 16 August 2022 with the participation of the presidents of the Foundation’s Founding and Trustee Institutions, representatives of Supporting Organisations and delegates. Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) President Şekib Avdagiç served as the Chairman of the General Assembly, while Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KCI) Assembly President Hasan Tahsin Tuğrul served as Vice President and IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas served as clerk. The opening speeches of the General Assembly were delivered by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Vice President Ali Kopuz, ICOC President Şekib Avdagiç, Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI) Vice Chairman Sadık Ayhan Saruhan and IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu.

In his address, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated that there have been significant changes in Türkiye-EU relations recently. Zeytinoğlu indicated that these changes were particularly related to the pandemic and Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. Evaluating the effect of the global crises on Türkiye-EU relations in his address, Zeytinoğlu said that EU enlargement, which had been stalled in the last few years, has once again gained momentum. He stressed that Türkiye should secure continuous and sustainable growth by seizing the opportunity. He concluded his speech by underlining that Türkiye will undoubtedly have a place in the changing EU architecture.

TOBB Vice President Kopuz started his speech by saying that Türkiye is always trying to move its relations with the EU in a positive direction. Kopuz underlined that the modernisation of the Customs Union is vital for improving Türkiye-EU relations and resolving the existing problems. In this respect, he stated that it would facilitate Türkiye-EU relations to enter a more vibrant and mutually beneficial path.

ICOC President Avdagiç indicated that the EU has adopted three highly important strategies namely on the twin transformation, Global Gateway and REPowerEU Plan and emphasized that Türkiye is geopolitically at the focal point of these three strategies. Avdagiç stated that Türkiye has been like a founding country since the very early years of European integration. He concluded by saying that Türkiye is an important country for the stability of both the EU and Europe.

ICI Vice Chairman Saruhan stated that while the EU is Türkiye's top export partner, Türkiye's share in EU imports is only 3.7%. He concluded his speech by highlighting that redefining a sincere and sustainable relationship with the EU based on a timetable and concrete outcomes, and eliminating uncertainties is crucial for obtaining the proper share from the EU market.

Following the opening speeches, IKV's activity and financial reports for 2021 as well as the audit reports  were released, while the 2022 work programme and budget instruction were unanimously approved. Finally, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu conveyed his thanks on behalf of the IKV Board of Directors and concluded the meeting.