The Closing Ceremony of the IPA II Competitive Sectors Programme held

The Closing Ceremony of the IPA II Competitive Sectors Programme took place on 14 October 2026 with the participation of Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Director General for EU and Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Industry and Technology Ahmet Halit Hatip, and Valentina di Sebastiano from the EU Delegation to Türkiye.

In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Ambassador Bozay noted that 24 years of Türkiye–EU financial cooperation have now been completed, and that the EU contribution to projects implemented over this period has exceeded 10 billion euros. Ambassador Bozay stated that global and regional developments have increased the need for stability and predictability, and that financial cooperation between Türkiye and the EU has become even more important in this context.

Ambassador Bozay underlined that strategic steps have been taken in many areas, from the green and digital transitions to competitiveness and employment, and that the Competitive Sectors Programme has played a key role in this success. He noted that energy security of supply, transport and connectivity projects, and the green transition are among the main areas of cooperation. He also stated that financial support for the green transition will bring mutual benefits to the two economies, which are integrated within the framework of the Customs Union.

Finally, Ambassador Bozay emphasised that preserving the well-established institutional structure of the financial assistance mechanism between Türkiye and the EU in the EU’s new seven-year Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 is important for the sustainability of the gains achieved so far.