Speakers:
•    Fadi Hakura: Associate Fellow Europe Programme, Chatham House.
•    Yossi Mekelberg: International Relations Programme Director, Regent’s College.
•     Bill Park: Senior Lecturer in the Defence Studies department, King’s College London.

After eight years in power, what does the future hold for Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party?  Since its sweeping electoral victory in 2002, the AKP has presented a conundrum to the outside world. On the one hand, they continue to advocate greater involvement with the European Union. On the other, they have passed constitutional amendments which some regard as threatening the secular basis of the Turkish constitution. Following the Flotilla incident in May 2010, previously good relations with Israel have also deteriorated significantly.

This expert panel will discuss how Turkey will respond to the continuing obstacles it faces in its attempts to gain accession to the European Union and to recent changes in the Arab world.  Is the future of Turkey to the West or the East?

Moderated by: Dr Amany Soliman, Atkin Fellow, ICSR

Friday, March 25, 2011.

12.30 – 2pm

If you would like to attend please contact Katie Rothman on 020, 7848 2065 or katie.rothman@icsr.info