This week on Thursday, February 27, as the System&Generation association, we visited Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for EU Afairs with our volunteers. We had a nice meeting with two expert officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of them was Ms. Zerrin from the Communications Department, and the other was Mr. Halil from the Directorate for EU Affairs. They told us about their own units, Türkiye-European Union relations, the Communication Strategy (EUCS) and Türkiye's mission on this issue. Our volunteers gained important information thanks to these two valuable presentations. After the presentations, they found answers to their curious questions in the Q&A session. Finally, they talked about their feelings about Türkiye and explained their expectations and the outcomes. This important visit by S&G provided the volunteers with the opportunity to get to know the country and Türkiye's European Union mission up close.
Personal testimonies of our volunteers: 
Farid from Azerbaijan: Today we visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the whole team of System&Generation. We were welcomed by two deputies of the European Union Directorate and we had a productive conference. During the conference the Heads of the European Union Directorate made a presentation about the European Union membership and gave us valuable pieces of knowledge about the topic of the conference. After the presentation, some questions were asked related to the topic and they answered the questions in detail. I think that this conference made a huge impact on us about the European Union, as well as the European programs such as Erasmus and European Solidarity Corpus.
Aytaj from Azerbaijan: It was a great opportunity to engage with representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Zerrin discussed the communication aspects of the European Union, emphasizing key strategies and challenges in maintaining dialogue. Mr. Serkan focused on Turkey’s future steps toward EU membership, highlighting ongoing efforts, necessary reforms, and diplomatic engagements. Overall, the meeting provided valuable insights into Turkey’s European integration process.

Emil from Azerbaijan: Mrs. Zerrin recommended us to join the European Parliament's model project. She strongly emphasized not to miss the ESC opportunity before the age of 30. She emphasized that Türkiye is a place where there are Kemals, not camels. ⁠Mr.Serkan spoke about the socio-psychological effects of people in the process of Turkey's integration into Europe. He conveyed the historical pacts between Europe and Turkey and the process of Turkey's acceptance at the Helsinki Summit. In addition, he spoke about the activities of their institution. ⁠This experience was a great opportunity for all foreign volunteers, and a great start for those who want to work in this organization or a similar organization in Europe in the future. We felt like young diplomats, and I think we can become worthy cultural ambassadors in the future.

Günay from Azerbaijan: Mrs. Zerrin addressed the benefits Türkiye would gain if it became a full member of the European Union. She emphasized that membership would bring advantages in economic, political, and social areas. What stood out to me the most was her point about Türkiye strengthening its trade relations and having more opportunities for cooperation in education and cultural fields.  Mr. Serkan shared valuable insights regarding Türkiye’s EU membership process. He explained the challenges, benefits, and how Türkiye’s relations with the EU have evolved over time. His analysis helped me better understand Türkiye’s ties with Europe and gave me a clearer perspective on the complexities of the process.  This meeting took place at the Directorate for EU Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it was a great experience for volunteers from all around the world. Being in such an environment with participants from different countries broadened my global perspective. Overall, I found it to be a highly productive and insightful day.

Yulia from Ukraine: Mrs. Zerrin underlined all the most influential obstacles, that could make an impact for a decision making. She strongly recommended us to join different European projects and conferences, which can be helpful for us in future. Also she made a statement that stereotypes don’t shape the country. ⁠Mr. Serkan spoke about integration process and how can we make it faster. Also he described historical events, which are still having an influence on decision about making Türkiye the member of EU. Despite all of that he mentioned that nowadays Türkiye is really close to become a full member of EU like never before. ⁠This was an unforgettable experience for me. First time in my life I came to the Directorate for EU Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was a fundamental step of my self-awareness. Now I feel incredibly motivated and confident about  building my future career.

Angelo from Italy: The most important thing that Mrs. Zerrin and Mr. Serkan gave specified is the conviction and the desire to be part of a community like the European one and to feel part of this family. It is nice to hear that despite it being a long and difficult job, there is no lack of courage, ideas, desire and perseverance to create this splendid union.

Fadi from Egypt:  Mrs. Zerrin delivered an informative and detailed presentation, sharing valuable insights into European Union membership. She eloquently emphasized the importance of joining the EU and encouraged us to consider becoming part of this influential community. The conference, organized by the Directorate of Foreign Affairs, provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the EU program and its significance. Mr. Serkan provided a thorough explanation of the steps and processes involved in joining the European Union. During his presentation, he addressed critical topics such as immigration and strategic role in the EU membership process. He also clearly outlined the requirements and procedures for becoming a member state, offering a detailed perspective on the accession process. This conference enriching and beneficial for me. The presentations organized by the Directorate offered in-depth knowledge about the European Union and its associated programs. Their activities and efforts to be part of the EU are inspiring.

Sheri from Albania: Mrs. Zerrin gave a detailed talk about why joining the EU is important and encouraged us to consider being part of it. Mr. Serkan explained the steps needed for membership and discussed key topics like immigration and Türkiye’s role in the process. The conference was very informative and helped me understand the EU and Türkiye’s efforts to join. It was a valuable experience.

Kayra from Türkiye: Ms. Zerrin's thoughts on the European Union and youth projects were unifying. She talked about how important such projects are for Turkey and the European Union. Mr. Serkan also provided us with new perspectives with his hospitality and explanations. He talked about how projects provide different experiences for volunteers like us. In general, the way we represented the association we are affiliated with was a valuable introduction. It was a pleasure to be welcomed with interest by the officers and employees of the institution we visited. I would like to thank our institution director Mr. Gürkan and the volunteers and employees of the institution. I hope that visits like this will continue.

Victor from Spain: Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend a presentation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters about Türkiye's European Union Communication Strategy (EUCS), and in general about Turkey's EU accession process. Ms Zerrin spoke about the importance of the communication strategy, an important objective she highlighted was the promotion of the EU within Turkey, so that citizens can see the positive aspects of the organization. On the other hand, she also stressed the importance of this strategy to promote the good image of Turkey within the EU member countries. In the case of Mr.Serkan, it is worth noting that he provided valuable information on what may be the main obstacles for Turkey to move forward in the accession process, as an example he mentioned the negative position of Cyprus. He also spoke about the unfair treatment Turkey has sometimes received. An important point of discussion was perceptions. The presentation closed with a question to the audience: What was your perception of the country before you came to Turkey and what is your perception now? I understand that it was meant to highlight the importance of a country's image and how important it can be for the accession process. In my opinion it was a very productive presentation. In my personal case, I did my bachelor's final project on Turkey's EU accession process and how its foreign policy could affect this process. Therefore, for me it was very interesting to listen to expert people working in the Turkish foreign ministry and to hear their opinion on a subject I have worked on.

Nela from Czech Republic: We had the opportunity to visit ministry of foreigner affairs in Ankara and speak with Mrs. Zerrin and Mr. Serkan. Mrs. Zerrin had a wonderful presentation about their strategy for cooperation with EU. We also discussed the topic of Turkiye joining the European Union in the future and why. Overall it was very precious experience to have a chance to speak with them and be part of the discussion in such a place. Thank you!

Muhammed from Türkiye: Our visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara was really nice. We had the chance to talk with two important experts. Ms. Zerrin gave us information about her department and encouraged us to participate in European projects. Her words were really important information. Mr. Serkan shared with us Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to join the EU and explained the necessary reforms and historical context. What he said helped me to better understand the challenges and possible integration processes related to Türkiye’s journey to Europe. Being surrounded by competent people and listening to and participating in presentations on diplomacy and cooperation broadened my perspective. I understood the importance of youth and cultural exchange in establishing international connections. It added a lot to my academic life. I would like to thank them for their wonderful presentation.
Karawan from Palestine:  During our visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, Mrs. Zerrin emphasized the importance of shifting prospectives and encouraged us to actively participate in European projects and initiatives. Her words reminded me that true change begins with open minds and meaningful dialogue. Mr. Serkan highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing efforts toward EU membership, focusing on the necessary reforms and the historical context behind this process. His explanation gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges and hopes tied to Türkiye’s European journey. Overall, the visit was an inspiring experience. Being surrounded by passionate individuals and engaging in discussions about diplomacy and cooperation broadened my perspective. It reinforced my belief in the power of youth and cultural exchange to build bridges between nations.
Erbil from Türkiye: Mrs. Zerrin highlighted the economic, political, and social benefits of Türkiye’s EU membership. Her emphasis on strengthening trade relations and increasing cooperation in education and culture stood out to me. She also pointed out that stereotypes do not define a country.Mr. Serkan provided valuable insights into Türkiye’s EU accession process, discussing key challenges and opportunities. His statement that Türkiye is closer than ever to full membership was particularly noteworthy. Additionally, he addressed migration issues and Türkiye’s strategic role in this context.This meeting helped me better understand Türkiye-EU relations and broaden my global perspective. Having completed my internship at the Directorate for EU Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs years ago, revisiting these topics from this perspective was meaningful for me. This experience reinforced my interest in International Relations and strengthened my motivation to pursue a career in this field.