IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas participated in an online panel entitled “New Government in Germany and Turkey-EU Relations” organised by the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) on 14 December 2021, within the scope of “Pandemic and Society” webinar series.

In her speech, IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Nas discussed the structure of the new coalition government formed by the Social Democrat Party of Germany, the Greens and the Free Democratic Party, and the members of the government and their main policy priorities. Assoc. Prof. Nas also commented on the relations with Turkey. Nas stated that Turkey was primarily wieved as an important partner country and the presence of a strong Turkish community in Germany required a close relationship between the two countries. Nas added that no progress was foreseen in the membership process due to worrying developments in Turkey.

Referring to Germany’s key position within the EU, Nas mentioned that the new coalition government followed a foreign policy approach which focuses on values such as democracy, freedoms, human rights and the rule of law, and stated that this approach would also affect EU policies.

In the webinar, moderated by IPC Senior Scholar, Research and Academic Affairs Coordinator, and Professor at Sabancı University's International Relations Department Senem Aydın Düzgit, TEPAV European Studies Director Nilgün Arısan and Prof. Atila Eralp.

To watch the webinar, please click here.