Guest speech: Ambassador of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Selim Yenel

As a continuation of our ambassador series the IMC Export Department, under the auspices of the Chair for International, Legal and Global Political Studies, was inviting the Turkish residential ambassador to the Republic of Austria H.E. Selim YENEL for a visit and guest lecture on 26th September 2008.

Addressing the faculty members, fellow students and professor, the Ambassador gave an excellent overview of Turkish foreign policy focusing in particular on Turkish-European relations.

His presentation was followed by a reception and an extended discussion with students and professors.

Ambassador Yenel’s remarks offered the IMC Export Fellows a unique opportunity to gain insights into the political and social development of the country stressing in particular Turkey’s move and change towards the west and the endeavours made trying to become member of the European Union. By pointing out the individual steps taken to foster an accession to the EU the ambassador clearly underlined the country’s wish to be integrated into the western society. He was referring to several negative perceptions on a possible membership among others the country’s size which would influence the distribution of power within the EU as well as financial implications and the fear of unmanageable migration waves. While some of these issues such as the status quo in Cyprus and the treatment of Kurds in Turkey do definitely have to be settled other arguments against an accession like the general idea of Turks not belonging to Europe are according to the ambassador rather misconceived.

Answering the students’ questions, H.E. Yenel shared the Turkish policy views on issues like: the country’s role in central Asia, secularisation, human rights and integration. He stressed positive sides of a potential membership by elaborating on same values, economic development and shared interest.

An extraordinarily open and eloquent personality and top diplomat, Ambassador Yenel built up a reputable career working for the Cabinet of the Foreign Minister in Ankara (80’s), holding the position of Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Delegate at the Turkish Delegation to the European Union in Brussels (90’s) and becoming Deputy-Director General for EU Affaires, MFA in Ankara in 2001 before coming to Vienna in 2006 being nominated as ambassador to Austria.

Due to his strong interest and insight into EU-Turkish relations H.E. Yenel has been heavily involved in all relevant meetings regarding Turkey’s accession to the EU for over 10 years and could therefore provide us with an excellent, instructive and impressing insight into the Turkish view on European affairs.

Guest lecture of Ambassador YENEL was the 53rd event organized under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies.

Photos: Hermann Maglock, N. Plewa, S. Pasalic
Text: Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic