Webinar: China’s Economic Relations with the Eastern Mediterranean Region: The Case of Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Israel

The lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Bahri Yilmaz, CEAC affiliated researcher, EU Ad Personam Jean Monnet Chair, and Emeritus Professor in Economics at Sabanci University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. He has served as a lecturer at several academic institutions, including the Universities of Hacettepe, Ankara, Koç, Bilkent, Turkish-German Universities (TDU), Münster Westfalen, LMU München, CEU Madrid and University of Bangkok. He also worked as the Chief Advisor to the Ministry of State for EU Affairs in Ankara, 1997-2002.

In his lecture, Prof. Yilmaz discussed China’s position and interests in the region. While China is a newcomer to the region, it has remained free from involvement in any security conflicts or political disputes with the countries therein, both historically and presently. China’s vested interest in the region is notably apparent, driven by two primary motives. Firstly, China aims to further the development of the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor and the Maritime Silk Road, encapsulated within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), by establishing a robust economic presence across Eastern Mediterranean countries. Secondly, China aspires to foster sectoral cooperation forums, particularly with Southern European nations like Greece and Turkey, viewing them as pivotal gateways and strongholds for accessing European markets.

Agenda

10:00 A.M. Moderator:

• Prof. Dr. Sebastian Bersick, Executive Director of the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC), Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, Vice-Dean, Jean Monnet Chair,and Head of Department, International Political Economy of East Asia, Faculty of East Asian Studies, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

10:10 – 10:30 A.M. Speaker:

• Prof. Dr. Bahri Yilmaz, EU Ad Personam Jean Monnet Chair, and Emeritus Professor in Economics at Sabanci University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

10:30 – 11:00 A.M. Q&A Session