Events Detail

As Turkey braces for upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, it also faces significant challenges in the foreign policy arena. The continued instability in Iraq—in particular, the presence of PKK terrorists in Northern Iraq—is a key determinant in US-Turkey relations as well. Due to its geographic location, Turkey is also directly affected by issues such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Russia’s energy policies. In addition, Turkish foreign policy priorities include maintaining positive momentum on EU accession talks as well as helping establish stability and peace in the Balkans, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and Central and South Asia.

To discuss Turkey’s challenges and opportunities in managing these various interests, Hudson Institute will host a distinguished group of Turkish parliamentarians. Hudson Senior Fellow Zeyno Baran will moderate.

Mehmet Dulger is a member of the Turkish Parliament for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs. Previously, Mr. Dulger served as Deputy Undersecretary for the State Planning Organization and as Chief Advisor to Prime Minister.

Ambassador Yasar Yakis is a member of the Turkish Parliament for the AKP. Amb. Yakis served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also Turkey’s Ambassador to Riyadh and Cairo before becoming Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vienna Office. He is one of the founding members of the AKP.

Zekeriya Akcam is a member of the Turkish Parliament for the AKP and the Turkish Delegation to the European Council and Western European Union Parliamentary Assemblies. Mr. Akcam previously served as an expert in the Undersecretariat of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade. He also worked as a researcher at the Library of Congress and holds a master’s degree in International Relations from American University in Washington, DC.

Erol Aslan Cebeci is a member of the Turkish Parliament for the AKP. Mr. Cebeci served as a member of the Turkish delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He previously worked in the private sector. Mr. Cebeci earned a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Ambassador Sukru Elekdag is a member of the Turkish Parliament for the People’s Republican Party (CHP). He previously served as Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Turkey’s Ambassador to Tokyo and Washington. He is also a member of the Turkey-EU Parliamentary Joint Commission.

Ambassador Onur Oymen is a member of the Turkish Parliament for the CHP. He previously served as the Turkish Ambassador to Copenhagen and Bonn. Amb. Oymen was Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry before he was appointed to be permanent representative to NATO. Amb. Oymen is currently a member of the Turkey-EU Parliamentary Joint Commission.

This on-the-record meeting will take place at Hudson Institute, which is located at 1015 15th St, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC. For more information and RSVPs, please email Onur Sazak at onur@hudson.org or call (202) 974-6445. Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 16. Those who do not RSVP will not be admitted.