Message of the Rector of our University Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar on the occasion of Marmara European Week:

The process of joining the European Union, one of the most important foreign policy steps of the Republic of Turkey, has exceeded half a century and today Turkey's membership negotiations are ongoing. The European Union has a special importance in terms of ensuring the peaceful coexistence of peoples in a continent where two major wars have broken out. Although the idea of ​​a United Europe dates back a long time, the first concrete step in this regard was taken in the 1950s with a partnership in the fields of trade and economy and over time it has turned into a prominent integration process in the world.

Although the European Union is faced with various problems today, it is seen as a center of attraction in economic terms. The European Union has a special importance for Turkey due to both its geographical proximity and the frequency of social and economic relations. Turkey is also an extremely important and reliable partner for the European Union.

Although certain difficulties are experienced in Turkey's membership process in the European Union today, Turkey's membership has a special importance for both parties. The main reason for the current difficulties is that Turkey has a much greater influence than the countries that have been candidates to date due to its geographical location and demographic structure.

Undoubtedly, the realization of Turkey’s goal of becoming a member of the European Union is closely related to the acceptance of this process by the society. In this sense, the determined will of the Government of the Republic of Turkey must be supported by all public/private institutions and organizations in our country. Marmara University is also doing its part on academic and social platforms.

I would like to express my great pleasure in your participation in the events organized by the European Research Institute, which is the first in Turkey on European Union issues, in cooperation with internal and external stakeholders on the occasion of May 9 Europe Day in 2019, as it does every year, and I present my most sincere love and respect.

 

Prof. Dr. Erol ÖZVAR

Rector