On 21 December 2022 in Vienna, Mr. Lukas Gehrke, the ICMPD Deputy Director General, and Director for Policy Research and Strategy, and H.E. Mr. Levent Eler, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Türkiye to the UNOV and other International Organizations in Vienna, signed a Seat Agreement between ICMPD and the Republic of Türkiye. The Seat Agreement marks a milestone in the already strong, longstanding cooperation between ICMPD and Türkiye which has further intensified after Türkiye became an ICMPD Member State in 2018.
ICMPD has been working with the relevant authorities in Türkiye for a long time and implements a series of projects focusing on migration and border management. The Regional Office for Western Balkans and Türkiye in Istanbul will be also functioning as a hub and meeting point for ICMPD’s many activities in neighbouring regions by facilitation of cooperation at regional levels.
During 2023 Türkiye will take over the Chairmanship of the ICMPD Steering Group. A carefully planned programme with a special focus on countries of origin will flank the governance activities of the year. ICMPD will amongst others support the Antalya Diplomatic Forum and organise a panel focusing on migration - making a link also to the annual Vienna Migration Conference. At the same time, many important anniversaries will be celebrated; the Republic of Türkiye will celebrate 100 years, ICMPD turns 30 years and also the Budapest Process, one of ICMPD’s first tasks and longest-standing migration dialogue, chaired by Türkiye, turns 30 years.
ICMPD is looking forward to an ever closer cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye following the signing of the Seat Agreement.