Centre For Turkey Studies

The Centre for Turkey Studies is an independent and non-partisan organisation inaugurated in April 2011 with the support of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in London.

The Centre for Turkey Studies (CEFTUS) is an independent and non-partisan organisation inaugurated in April 2011 with the support of former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in London. CEFTUS provides an open forum promoting expert opinions and debates focusing on Turkey-UK relations, foreign affairs, economic issues and social developments in Turkey and the region. The centre hosts experts, leading politicians, academics and opinion-formers from Britain, Turkey and beyond. As a policy forum, CEFTUS organises monthly speaker series, panel discussions and dinner events at UK Parliament, think tanks, academic institutions and locations in the City of London. It also conducts case studies at the requests of think tanks, public institutions and the private sector interested in the economic, political and social development of Turkey and the region.

Objectives

1. To host forums, panel discussions dealing with subjects related to the analysis of Turkey’s:
• Domestic politics, foreign affairs and economic development;
• Accession process to the European Union;
• Relationship with the UK, EU, Middle East and North Africa, Black Sea region, Central Asia and the Caucasus;
• Role as an energy conduit for Europe;
• Interplay of Islam, democracy and secularism;
• Civil society, human rights and minority issues
• Potential as role model for the Islamic world;
• Diaspora communities and their economic, social and political relationship with their countries of origin.

2. To create contacts and strengthen relationships between experts, politicians and opinion-formers from Turkey, Britain and Europe; and between migrant communities and the majority population.
3. To publish conference reports, policy briefs and recommendations concerning Turkey and the neighbouring region.
4. To act as a non-party political and non-governmental institution with the aim of providing expert opinion and advice.