The European Movement in Belgium and the MEDEA Institute (European Research Institute on Mediterranean and Euro-Arab cooperation) organised on the 24th of March a conference referring to “Turkey, strategic partner for the European Union between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea”. The conference was chaired by Bahadir Kaleagasi, international coordinator of TUSIAD (Turkey’s Industries and Companies Association).

Mr. Kaleagasi spoke about Turkey’s strategic geographic situation, as well as the contributions Turkey could bring to the EU in accordance to its strengths, notably at the economic level. Moreover Mr. Kaleagasi also mentioned Turkey’s weaknesses, other necessary improvements with reference to the fulfillment of the Copenhagen Criteria and the question of the public opinion about the EU enlargement.