Food for Thought

Our esteemed member, Dr. Ezgi Uzun Teker, has been elected to the international academic council of the Argentine Council on International Relations (CARI), a member of the Council of Councils (CoC). She has also contributed to the inaugural issue of Global Affairs/Asuntos Globales magazine, which began publication in December 2024, focusing on ‘middle powers.’

Our Board Member, Mr. Taşkın Osman Aksoy, the Co-Founder and CEO of Linktera Information Technologies, has achieved a significant milestone with Linktera Robotics, a U.S.-based subsidiary of his company launched in 2023. Linktera Robotics has been awarded with the AmCham Turkey Special Jury Award, presented by our Chairperson, Zeynep Bodur Okyay, as part of AmCham Turkey’s 20th anniversary celebrations. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Aksoy and the entire Linktera family, wishing them continued success in their endeavors.

E-Yazı, a continuation of our 2021 publication Açık Telgraf, presents a collection of intriguing memories and anecdotes shared by fifteen retired Ambassadors who are members of GRF.

An initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) which Global Relations Forum is a member of, the Council of Councils (CoC) Global Memo includes contributions from GRF President, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel.

Compiled by our Board Member, Prof. Dr. Füsun Türkmen, and our Member, Ambassador (R) Selim Kuneralp, the book is available for purchase from Remzi Kitabevi, and other associated bookstores.

In his latest piece written for Yetkin Report, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel examines the main takeaways from the European Union’s recent Turkey report, as well as the future of Turkey - EU relations.

The Fall 2024 issue of the online magazine ’Horizons’, published quarterly by the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), features the article by Ambassador (R) Yenel on the US elections.

An initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) to bring together think tanks from around the world, the Council of Councils’ (CoC) 2024 Regional Conference took place on October 27-29 and was also attended by Ambassador (R) Yenel representing GRF.

On October 24-25, 2024, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel attended an exclusive luncheon for AmCham Turkey/ABFT’s "1. AmChams Eurasian Economic Summit" and addressed the summit’s guests as speaker. In his speech entitled "The Future of Cooperation: Regional Strategies in a Shifting Global Order", Ambassador (R) Yenel examined the future of international cooperation.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our valued Member Prof. Emin Fuat Keyman, a leader in the world of Turkish academia throughout his roles as Director of İstanbul Policy Center & Vice Rector and Professor of International Relations at Sabancı University, and extend our condolences to his family and all of his loved ones.

Celebrating Global Relations Forum’s 15th anniversary, the summit event which aims to bring together international experts to discuss how best to shape an uncertain global future, will be held on October 14, 2024 at İBB Artİstanbul Feshane.

An initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) which Global Relations Forum is a member of, the Council of Councils (CoC) Global Memo by GRF President, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel examines the necessary shifts in the international order in order to more effectively manage global crises.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Ambassador (R) Yaşar Yakış; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former GRF Board Member (2015 - 2021). We extend our condolences to his family and his loved ones.

The Global Relations Forum Board of Directors held a series of high-level visits, contacts, meetings and events with the participation of GRF members on May 7-8, in London.

An initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) which Global Relations Forum is a member of, the Council of Councils (CoC) Global Memo includes contributions from GRF President, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our Member and Faculty Member of Kadir Has University Law School Prof. Ayşe Işıl Ergüvenç, who had achieved the honor of being the first Turkish woman judge appointed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and we extend our condolences to her family and all her loved ones.

Applications for this position are now closed.

For his exemplary contributions to sustainable energy and achieving global climate goals, Fatih Birol was awarded the French ’Légion d’Honneur’ medal by French President Emmanuel Macron.

As part of TIME Magazine’s "TIME100 Climate" list, Mr. Birol was included among the world’s leading figures in the field of climate change and green transformation. As Global Relations Forum, we would like to congratulate Fatih Birol and wish him continued success.

As the Republic of Turkey celebrates its 100th anniversary, please read below the message penned by GRF President, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel, on what lessons can Turkey bring from its first century to the years ahead.

As Chair of the world’s largest business organization with over 45 million member companies over 170 countries, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu’s tenure will last for 3 years.

In the ceremony held at the French Palace in Istanbul, Dr. Kaleağası was awarded the title of "Knight of the National Order of Merit" by French Ambassador, Isabelle Dumont.

GRF is the latest organization to be admitted to the inter-organizational cooperation network of the European Policy Centre, one of Europe’s leading think-tanks.

Penned by GRF Young Scholars Program alumni Nazlı Azergün and prepared jointly with our GRF Corporate Member, the Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB), the report has been published under the name: "An Investigation into ESG Investing in Turkey: The Case Study of TSKB".

Jointly prepared by Global Relations Forum (GRF) and Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), this paper examines the possible benefits of the recently popular idea of a European Political Community for the European Union and beyond, as well as some of the political pitfalls to be avoided.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of one of Global Relation Forum’s Founding Members and GRF Board of Directors Member between 2009 and 2015, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador (R) İlter Türkmen. We give our most sincere condelences to his family and loved ones during this trying time.

Ambassador (R) Üzümcü was awarded with the honorary companionship of "The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George" by Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Turkey, Dominick Chilcott.

Mrs. Küçükel Ezberci was presented with the award and title of ’’Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia’’ by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı.

Prof. Füsun Türkmen was awarded the title of "Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur" by Ambassador of France to Turkey Hervé Magro.

In his article for Friends of Europe, Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel discusses the challenges faced by the EU as a global player, as well as the potential avenues of opportunity.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of master journalist, writer for the Milliyet Newspaper and GRF Honorary Member Mr. Sami Kohen, and give our condolences to his family and loved ones.

Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Founding Member of GRF, is the only Turkish name on TIME’s "World’s 100 Most Influential People in 2021" list.

The latest GRF Special Report discussing how to build a new, more constructive approach to Turkey - European Union relations can now be viewed in our Publications section.

Published by Council of Councils, the Global Memo article series entitled "Biden’s Summitry Was Reassuring for the West. Now Comes the Hard Part." also includes contributions from GRF President Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel.

In his article written in Turkish exclusively for GRF, Ambassador (R) Volkan Vural recounts the details of his historic 1991 visit as the first Turkish ambassador to visit Armenia, and the events that transpired afterwards.

In his article written in Turkish exclusively for GRF and containing insights from his personal life, Ambassador (R) Ahmet Üzümcü examines what can be done to ameliorate Turkish-Armenian relations.

In his article, Ambassador (R) Erdoğan İşcan situates the term ’genocide’ within international law, and examines its applicability regarding the 1915 Armenian relocation issue.

In his article on the anniversary of the Armenian relocation, Former Ambassador of Turkey to Washington, Ambassador (R) Namık Tan, examines the repercussions of the US’ designation of the relocation as ’genocide’ for bilateral relations.

As Global Relations Forum, we would like to share with the public our statement regarding Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.

Summarizing the political, social and economic developments of 2020 with contributions from our members, our new publication ’GİF Küresel Durum Raporu 2020’ is now online.

Published by Council of Councils, the Global Memo article series entitled "U.S. Capitol Breach Was a Shot Heard Round the World" also includes contributions from GRF President Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel.

A collection of the memories and little anecdotes of twenty-one retired Ambassador members of GRF, the book can now be viewed at our website.

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our GRF Board of Directors Member and Vice-Chairman, Former Rector of the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) Prof. Ahmet Acar, and give our condolences to his family and loved ones.

The article, written by Former Permanent Representatives to NATO Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, Ambassador Mehmet Fatih Ceylan and Ambassador Ümit Pamir, discusses how Turkey and NATO can find a way forward on the S-400 issue.

In his article, Ambassador (R) Yenel records the recent history of the European Union’s sanctions efforts against Turkey and examines why these policies have failed.

In his article, Ambassador Bozkurt Aran, Director of the TEPAV Center for Multilateral Trade Studies and GRF Member Ambassador Bozkurt Aran examines the implications of the recently-signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Published by Council of Councils, the article series "Biden and the World: Global Perspectives on the US Presidential Election" includes contributions from GRF President Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel.

In recognition of his contributions to foreign affairs, Mr. Kohen was honored with an award presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Published by Council of Councils, the Global Perspectives article series on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations also includes contributions from GRF President Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel.

Due to our concern surrounding the recent debates on the Istanbul Convention, we at the Global Relations Forum respectfully present a public appeal on this very important issue, penned by our Distinguished Member Feride Acar.

In his article for GRF, GRF Member Ambassador (R) İşcan emphasizes the importance of defending the United Nations human rights systems in the face of challenges such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The article by Ambassador (R) Yenel, entitled "The Effects of COVID-19 and How to Prepare for the Future", has been published in the article series by the Council on Foreign Relations, with the help of its global partners.

In the article, Ambassador (R) Kuneralp provides a historical account of Turkey’s Customs Union initiative with the EU and assesses its potential as an alternative for EU membership.

GRF Member, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations (F) and to NATO, Ambassador Ümit Pamir gave a speech on the changing dynamics of the global order.

Ambassador (R) Yenel’s article entitled "It’s Not About Money, It’s About Solidarity - How to Save the Migration Deal" has been published in Friends of Europe’s online journal, ’Europe’s World’.

In the article written exclusively for GRF, Ambassador (R) Fatih Ceylan shares his assessments on NATO’s positioning in the Middle East.

The Viewpoint article by Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel details the evolution of the Turkey - EU relationship, as well as providing insights into its future.

The Viewpoint article written in Turkish by Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel also includes an appendix where the members of the European Union’s new administration are introduced.

Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü was awarded "The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George" by Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom.

The talking points for the meeting of the Task Force on Cooperation in Greater Europe, hosted by GRF on 8-9 April, 2019, can be found below.

GRF Member, Per. Representative of Turkey to WTO (F) and Director of Trade Studies at TEPAV, Ambassador Bozkurt Aran’s article was published in Turkish Policy Quarterly on March 19, 2019.

GRF Member, Permanent Representative (F) of Turkey to the United Nations and to NATO, Ambassador Ümit Pamir’s interview was published in the daily Hürriyet on September 10, 2018.

GRF Board Member, İşbank CEO, Mr. Adnan Bali’s assessments on the Turkish Economy and the speculative attacks targeting the TL, published by the newspaper Dünya on August 13, 2018.

As NATO prepares for its 11-12 July summit in Brussels – with NATO-Russia relations high on the agenda – and as a Presidential US-Russia summit is due to take place in Finland later this month, there is an urgent need to inject new thinking into the dialogue over how Russia and NATO could safely co-exist and how Europe’s security could be improved as a result.

Ambassador Ertuğrul Apakan, was awarded, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves le Drian, the title of “Officier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur”.

GRF Vice-Chairpersons Mrs. Hanzade Doğan Boyner and Mr. Memduh Karakullukçu attended the “Equality and Parity in Science for Peace and Development” at the UN Headquarters

GRF Founding Member, Dr. Fatih Birol was unanimously re-elected as Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

GRF Member, Permanent Representative of Turkey to WTO (F), Director of Trade Studies at TEPAV and Board Member at Şişecam, Ambassador (R) Bozkurt Aran’s article was published by the Bretton Woods Committee on December 11, 2017.

GRF Member, Permanent Representative (F) of Turkey to the United Nations and to NATO, Ambassador Ümit Pamir’s interview was published in the daily Hürriyet on November 21, 2017

GRF Member, MİT Undersecretary (F) Ambassador Sönmez Köksal’s Interview was published in the daily Hürriyet on October 16, 2017

The fifth policy paper of the GRF Young Academics Program entitled "State Responses to Cyber Operations", which was designed to provide a forum for accomplished young academics to discuss and debate long-term policy challenges, was published.

 

Council of Councils members’ perspectives on the impact of the U.S. election results on global cooperation.

GRF Member Amb. (R) Bozkurt Aran’s evaluation note entitled "Globalization, European Union And Economic Integration" published by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) on December 2016.

The fourth policy paper of the GRF Young Academics Program, which was designed to provide a forum for accomplished young academics to discuss and debate long-term policy challenges, was published.

GRF Member Amb. (R) Ümit Pamir’s background paper for the panel on “Migration as a Challenge to Regional Security” at the 9th Regional Conference of the Council of Councils (CoC), held in Berlin on October 30-November 1, 2016...

GRF Member, Ambassador (R) Ünal Çeviközʼs article entitled "The Referendum Heralds a New Europe" originally published in Turkish, in “Hürriyet”, on June 26, 2016.

GRF Member, Ambassador (R) Özdem Sanberkʼs article entitled "EUʼs Crisis or the Supranational Governance Utopia" originally published in Turkish, in “Analist”, no.64, June 2016.

The third policy paper of the GRF Young Academics Program, which was designed to provide a forum for accomplished young academics to discuss and debate long-term policy challenges, was published. The paper entitled “Turkeyʼs Foreign Policy Towards China, Analysis and Recommendations for Improvement” is authored by Dr. Altay Atlı. Please click here to read the paper.

GRF Vice-Chairman and President Memduh Karakullukçu’s article entitled “EU Energy Policy: Sustained by Fragile Solidarity, Indispensable for Eurasian Security”, originally published in the Center for Complex Operationsʼ journal PRISM, Volume 6, No. 2, "European Security in the 21st Century."

GRF and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) issued a report on the “Club of Three Plenary Meeting on Turkey and its Neigbours”, organized on December 5, 2014 at Quai D’Orsay, Paris. The meeting was held with the participation of several GRF members as well as men and women of influence in the fields of politics, media, arts and business from the UK, France and Germany. With three sessions, the meeting touched upon various issues of common concern for the UK, France, Germany and Turkey including regional security, investment and growth, as well as migration.

Can Turkey and Israel be friends? It is a question that will affect the future of the entire Middle East. For many years they were close allies but in the past four years there has been a downward slide. Although Israelis blame the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the best part of a decade he kept relations with Israel on a normal working basis. What exacerbated the downturn was the brutality shown by Israeli troops in Gaza in January 2009. Then came a calculated televised humiliation of Turkeyʼs ambassador in Tel Aviv a year ago. Then, to crown it all, on May 31 last year the Israeli Defence Forces attacked a flotilla of vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza - whose cargo had been previously checked by the Turkish authorities - killing nine people on board and wounding many others. This was despite last-minute appeals from Turkey to Israel for moderation.

Appraising Obamaʼs Foreign Policy