Turkcell Becomes the First Turkish Company to be a Member of the Centre for European Policy Studies

Turkcell Becomes the First Turkish Company to be a Member of the Centre for European Policy Studies

Turkcell, has become the first Turkish company to be made a corporate member of the Centre for European Policy Studies, one of the most important think tanks in Europe. The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) is an independent policy research institute located in Brussels. Its mission is to produce sound policy research leading to constructive solutions to the challenges facing Europe. The CEPS provides an excellent platform for the discussions which shape policies throughout Europe. By conducting academic research and evaluating the business world's experiences, it also aims to bring solutions to current problems. The CEPS, which came up with the common currency idea, supported it and initiated the EU's expansion towards Central Eastern Europe, is known for its task forces and the projects they work on in telecommunication, energy, environment, tax and finance.

Turkcell has worked together with the Centre for European Policy Studies before on different projects. In 2006 Turkcell contributed to the CEPS Task Force on e-communications, "Policy Challenges for the Information Superhighway", which was active between September 2005 and June 2006 and brought together 54 participants and 28 invited guests and speakers, including representatives of European telecom operators, telecom manufacturers, industry associations, consultancy firms, law firms, distinguished scholars in the field and representatives from national regulators, the European Commission and the European Parliament. There was a report published containing the results of this collective effort, including a section looking at the high tax rates in the telecoms industry in Turkey. In addition, in June 2007 Turkcell also took part in the new CEPS Task Force "Achieving the internal market for e-communications" by industry players, representatives of the European Commission, National Regulatory Authorities (Ofcom), the European Parliament and the European Investment Bank. This task force's report is planned to be published in the middle of this year and will set out views about the European Union's New Telecommunications Regulatory Framework being adapted to the changing market conditions, featuring Turkey as a 'case study'.

The Centre for European Policy Studies, which was founded in Brussels in 1983, has 120 corporate members which are leading companies throughout the world.