IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu visited Brussels on 13 and 14 October 2021 to hold a series of meetings on Turkey-EU relations. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu visited European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi in his office. Emphasizing the importance of the continuation of Turkey’s EU perspective and the goal of full membership during his visit, Zeytinoğlu highlighted Turkey’s position in terms of economic growth figures and as a leading supplier to the EU economy. During the meeting, in which launching the Customs Union modernisation talks, visa liberalisation and high-level dialogues on topics such as energy, climate and health were discussed, information was provided on the activities and objectives of IKV.

For his part, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that Turkey is an important neighbour and a strategic partner for the EU. Noting that the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was a very promising development, Várhelyi expressed the EU’s readiness to support Turkey in aligning with the European Green Deal. Underlining that Turkey continues to be a candidate country, Várhelyi pointed out that the process would continue depending on the fulfilment of the necessary requirements. Várhelyi congratulated IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu for his work and wished him success. IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu was accompanied by IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas and Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray during the visit.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu also met with Thomas Frellesen, Head of the Turkey Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and Baiba Aleksejuka-Tavaresa, member responsible for Turkey at the cabinet of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles. During the meetings, the 2021 EU Enlargement Strategy and the Turkey Report, which are expected to be published soon, the role of civil society in Turkey-EU relations and steps towards revitalising Turkey-EU relations were discussed.