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Ankara Migration Symposium 2026: A New Era for EU–Türkiye Cooperation
29–30 September 2026 | Ankara, Türkiye
Jointly organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM), the symposium brought together around 170 high-level representatives from government institutions, diplomatic missions, international organisations, academia, and civil society.
Under the title “The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and Migration Priorities of Türkiye: A New Era for Extending Cooperation,” the two-day event provided a platform for constructive dialogue on how the European Union and Türkiye can further develop their cooperation on migration and asylum in a rapidly evolving policy landscape.
As implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum began in 2026, new questions emerged regarding European migration governance, border management, responsibility-sharing, and cooperation with external partners. Although the Pact does not directly apply to Türkiye, developments in both the EU and Türkiye have significant implications for bilateral relations and migration routes across the region.
Against this backdrop, the symposium facilitated an exchange of perspectives on shared challenges, institutional approaches, and practical opportunities to strengthen EU–Türkiye cooperation.
Four key areas of discussion
The programme featured four thematic panels addressing central dimensions of European and Turkish migration policy:
- The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Initial implementation, governance structures, operational realities, and cooperation mechanisms.
- Migration management priorities in Türkiye: Institutional approaches, policy developments, and current challenges in migration governance.
- EU–Türkiye migration cooperation after 2026: Strategic priorities, financial instruments, and partnerships with third countries.
- Developing new synergies: Opportunities for enhanced cooperation, shared responsibilities, and human rights considerations.
High-level representatives of European and Turkish institutions, international organisations, and research institutions contributed their expertise to the discussions. Keynote addresses included contributions from Ambassador Reyhan Özgür, Director General for Migration Policies and Visa Procedures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, and H.E. Clare Brosnan, Ambassador of Ireland to Türkiye, on the first day. On the second day, H.E. Aivo Orav, EU Ambassador to Türkiye, provided further perspectives on EU–Türkiye relations and migration cooperation.
Successful dialogue and perspectives for future cooperation
The discussions highlighted the importance of sustained strategic dialogue between the EU and Türkiye to identify shared interests, understand differing perspectives, and develop practical approaches to future cooperation.
The symposium also underlined that sustainable migration governance requires a comprehensive approach, reliable partnerships, and regular exchanges among policymakers, international organisations, academia, and civil society. Continued dialogue will be essential to addressing evolving migration dynamics and strengthening cooperation across the region.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung extends its sincere thanks to all keynote speakers, moderators, panellists, and participants for their valuable contributions. Special thanks go to our partner organisations, ICMPD and ASAM, for their excellent cooperation in preparing and delivering the symposium.
The Ankara Migration Symposium 2026 has made an important contribution to strengthening expert dialogue and advancing future-oriented cooperation on migration between Türkiye and the European Union.
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