Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı came together with Selçuk University students at the conference titled "Our EU Process and Opportunities for Young People".

Rector of Selçuk University Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy said at the opening of the conference held at Sultan Alparslan Cultural Center of Selçuk University that the EU offers important opportunities for students. Prof. Dr. Aksoy stated that Selçuk University follows Turkey's EU process and continues to contribute to this process within the scope of Erasmus+.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı gave information on Erasmus+, Jean Monnet, Horizon Europe, College of Europe Scholarship, European Solidarity Program, Civil Society Dialogue, 1416 MEB Scholarship and EU Communication Strategy. Expressing his views on the online survey on Turkey's EU membership and process, Kaymakcı said: "The EU membership process has brought us a lot. Look back to 1999 when we were officially declared a candidate: From 1999 to 2006, we experienced perhaps the most brilliant period of development and reform in the Republic of Turkey. Turkey tripled its national income in this period; it reached 10 thousand dollars from 3 thousand 500 dollars. With its reforms, our country has become much better than EU member states and many candidate countries in terms of advanced democracy, rule of law, freedoms and fundamental rights. At that time, Turkey and the EU membership negotiations started. In that period, Turkey opened 16 chapters and closed 1 chapter with the EU. As a result, the EU membership process is as valuable to us as membership. Let's advance the process and benefit from the blessings of the process."

"OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS"

Stating that the EU membership process will move forward with young people, Kaymakcı said, "No country that founded the EU or became a member afterwards has ever been harmed by the EU. There are countries that have multiplied their national income by 10 and trade volume by 20. They have all raised their education standards. Their diplomas are valid all over the world. Unemployment rates have decreased. There are 450 million people living in Europe. Therefore, we need to look at it from this perspective. Therefore, our young people have the right to own this process from now on. We have started this process as official names in Turkey, but from now on, it is up to you to take ownership of it, to undertake it and to continue it. Because we are talking about your future."

The conference ended with the presentation of a plaque by Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı after the question and answer session.

Konya Food and Agriculture University Rector Prof. Dr. Cumhur Çökmüş, Konya Deputy Governor Aydın Erdoğan, Selçuk University Secretary General Prof. Dr. Kamil Beşoluk, academic staff and students attended the conference.

VISIT TO RECTOR PROF. DR. AKSOY

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı visited Selçuk University Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy.

Stating that Selçuk University is the most established university in the districts, Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy said, "We continue our services with our 7 thousand staff in order for our students to keep up with the age and prepare for the future. Our University, which has Konya Technical University, Necmettin Erbakan University, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Faculty of Education, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, is the locomotive of the region and has a strong infrastructure. Student diversity is high. Students from the Middle East, Turkic Republics and the Balkans prefer Selçuk University for education. We successfully continue student exchange programs with our TUBITAK and EU projects, and there are serious applications. We have 2 international EU projects. Our Erasmus Coordinatorship has also gained momentum at a certain rate."