On a three-day mission to Türkiye, from 29 November – 01 December, ICMPD’s Director General, Michael Spindelegger met with the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Türkiye as well as numerous high-ranking representatives. He participated in NACORAC project’s kick-off conference as well as in the Budapest Annual Process Senior Officials Meeting.
The mission foresaw working meetings in both Ankara and Istanbul. In Ankara on 29 November, a visit to the Foreign Ministry of Türkiye took place. The Director General and his delegation were welcomed by Yasin Ekrem Serim, Deputy Minister MFA. Discussion points included migration management and the upcoming Türkiye Chairmanship of ICMPD Steering Group in 2023. Next, the Director General met with Savaş Ünlü, President of the PMM, an important partner for ICMPD
On 30 November, the kick-off conference for the new NACORAC project took place in Ankara, where the Director General delivered the opening speech. Director General also participated in the Opening Ceremony of the NACORAC Premises. He also met the head of the EU Delegation to Turkey for a working breakfast. A courtesy visit of the Ministry of Interior, where he was welcomed by Minister Süleyman Soylu. On the evening, Director General participated in dinner hosted by Türkiye in the scope of the Budapest Process Annual Senior Officials Meeting
On 1 December, Michael Spindelegger, delivered opening remarks at the Budapest Process, Annual Senior Official’s Meeting and met with numerous delegations from the Budapest Process Member States. Specifically, Director General had bilateral meetings with the UK, Sweden and Bangladesh.
With offices in Ankara and Istanbul, ICMPD has a strong presence in the region with 20 projects , more than 50 projects in the pipeline, and more than 50 staff on the ground. Türkiye has become a member state of ICMPD in 2018.