The 63^rd General Assembly of the IKV was held in İstanbul on 21 July 2025, with the participation of the Founding and Trusteeship Institution presidents, Supporting Institution representatives and delegates. The General Assembly was chaired by President of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry Erdal Bahçıvan, with President of the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Akgün Altuğ, and the duty of the Council Secretary was assumed by IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas.

The opening remarks of the General Assembly were delivered by IKV Chairperson Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, ISO President Erdal Bahçıvan, TOBB Vice President Ali Kopuz, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay. Chairperson Zeytinoğlu was elected to the presidency of İKV for the sixth time.

Time to Take Action in Our Relations with the EU
In his speech, Chairperson Zeytinoğlu celebrated the 51^st anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. Noting that the IKV has entered its 60th year, Chairperson Zeytinoğlu said that the Foundation has organised numerous meetings over the past year, continued its information activities through the IKV Journal and YouTube broadcasts, and published four publications, 10 English Brief, 42 Turkish Brief and 216 Information Notes. Drawing attention to the increase in defence spending in Europe, Chairperson Zeytinoğlu stated that the obstacles to Türkiye's participation in defence projects must be removed. Chairperson Zeytinoğlu emphasised the importance of expanding the customs union to include trade in services and public procurement and removing transport quotas. Referring to the green transformation and digitalisation processes, Chairperson Zeytinoğlu stated that it is critical for Türkiye to prepare for the Emissions Trading System and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. He emphasised the need to support industrialists in these areas. Chairperson Zeytinoğlu stated that although the latest decisions have made the visa process somewhat easier, this is not sufficient, and that the remaining criteria for visa liberalisation must be met.

We Must Build Our Common Future with the EU
ISO President Erdal Bahçıvan emphasised the importance of the mission undertaken by the IKV in Türkiye-EU relations and expressed his satisfaction at being among the founders of the Foundation. Noting that despite the high volume of trade relations, Türkiye still faces structural issues with the EU, President Bahçıvan stated that the customs union needs to be updated and that Türkiye should become a party to the free trade agreements concluded by the EU. President Bahçıvan said that Türkiye could be considered a strategic partner in the green transformation and digitalisation processes and that Türkiye's role in supply chains should be strengthened. President Bahçıvan also emphasised that the increase in visa applications and rejection rates was disrupting economic relations and called for this problem to be eliminated.

IKV is Türkiye's EU School, EU Library and EU Teacher
TOBB Vice President Ali Kopuz referred to IKV's contribution to Türkiye-EU relations, describing IKV as an EU Information Centre and a source of consultation for the business world, and stated that TOBB would continue to support IKV's work. Stating that Türkiye is an indispensable partner for the EU in a period of increasing global uncertainty and changing geopolitical balances, Vice President Kopuz emphasised that Türkiye plays an important role in the EU value chain with its dynamic production structure, strategic location and young workforce. Stating that the customs union needs to be updated to include services, public procurement and environmental standards, Vice President Kopuz said that this is a critical step not only in terms of trade but also in terms of strategic trust and harmony. Underlining that the difficulties experienced in visa processes hinder trade, Vice President Kopuz noted that addressing the grievances of business people will strengthen mutual trust.

Türkiye Makes an Important Contribution to the EU with its Global Vision
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay stated that the IKV has played an important role in Türkiye-EU relations for many years and emphasised the contribution of civil society in this process. He said that the IKV's constructive cooperation with the public sector will continue. Ambassador Bozay emphasised that Türkiye is a key partner in Europe's economic security with its strategic location in a period of increasing global uncertainty, noting that connectivity, transport infrastructure and logistics capabilities provide Türkiye with significant advantages in this process. Ambassador Bozay noted that cooperation with European institutions continues in areas such as green transformation, digitalisation, the emissions trading system and climate law, and stated that joint projects with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank will be deepened in the coming period. Ambassador Bozay stated that updating the customs union is a priority and that a comprehensive process will be initiated for this purpose. He also emphasised that the EU should not view bilateral political issues such as the Cyprus issue as obstacles in its relations with Türkiye.

Following the opening speeches, the IKV's 2024 work and financial reports and audit committee reports were approved, and the 2025 work programme and budget directive were unanimously accepted. Finally, IKV Chairperson Ayhan Zeytinoğlu concluded the meeting by expressing his gratitude on behalf of the IKV Board of Directors.

The newly elected Board of Directors of the IKV consists of Chairperson Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Prof. Dr. Halûk Kabaalioğlu, Sedat Zincirkıran, Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem, Hakan Sefa Çakır, Murat Hazıroğlu, Ömer Gülsoy, Fatih Çapraz, Hakkı İsmet Aral, Şadan Eren, Ali Sami Aydın, Yavuz Altun, Ercan Özboyacı, Mustafa Şenocak, Adil Erkoç, Feyyaz Ünal, and Akansel Koç, while Abdurrahman Aslantaş and Mustafa Zeytin serve as members of the Audit Committee.