Dr. Egemen Bağış joins the CAPS Advisory Board

The Center for Asia-Pacific Studies (CAPS) announces the appointment of H.E. Egemen Bağış, former Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Czech Republic, as a new member of the CAPS Advisory Board. He previously spoke at CEVRO University as part of an expert discussion on Turkey–EU relations, a topic that closely aligns with CAPS’ mission to produce expert research, connect academic debate with practice, and foster open discussion on international issues involving Asia and Europe.

Egemen Bağış is a prominent figure in Turkish diplomacy and international affairs. After completing his studies in the United States, he took on leadership roles in Turkish-American civic organizations and later returned to Turkey in 2002, where he contributed to shaping foreign-policy priorities at the time. He was subsequently elected to the Turkish Parliament, representing Istanbul, and served as the Prime Minister’s chief foreign policy adviser. In the years that followed, he held senior positions in international relations, including appointment as State Minister, and served as Turkey’s Chief Negotiator for EU accession talks. He later served as Minister for European Union Affairs, focusing on European integration and institutional cooperation.

He also played an important role in transatlantic cooperation. He served as President of the Transatlantic Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and led the Turkey–USA Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Caucus. In 2010, he was named a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum. Alongside his political and diplomatic career, he has also supported initiatives in culture and international cooperation.

From 2019 to 2024, he served as Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Czech Republic. He continues to cooperate with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and represents Turkey at selected international institutions and forums, and is a member of the High Level Advisory Council of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

CAPS is honoured to welcome H.E. Egemen Bağış as a new member of its Advisory Board. His experience reflects the kind of well-grounded understanding and informed expertise that CAPS seeks to advance through research, education, and public discussion.