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Director General for Bilateral Relations Ambassador Yaprak Balkan was officially appointed late Friday as Türkiye’s permanent representative to the European Union, becoming the first woman ambassador to hold one of the most prestigious posts in Turkish diplomacy.
The appointment, signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was published in the Official Gazette. Balkan replaces Ambassador Faruk Kaymakci, who has served as Türkiye’s envoy to the EU.
Balkan, who most recently served as director general for bilateral relations covering Latin America at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters, becomes the first woman to be appointed to Türkiye’s EU Permanent Representation.
The position is considered among the most senior and influential diplomatic posts within the Turkish Foreign Ministry, reflecting the importance Ankara attaches to relations with the European Union.
Türkiye has been an EU membership candidate since 1999, but its accession process has been stalled for years amid political and legal disputes.
Although not an EU member state, Türkiye remains one of the bloc’s key partners and is linked to the EU through the European Union–Turkey Customs Union. Türkiye also borders two EU member states, Bulgaria and Greece.
As part of the same round of appointments, Faruk Kaymakci was named Türkiye’s ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
In addition, Ayda Unlu, director general for overseas promotion and cultural affairs, was appointed ambassador to Montenegro.
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