Second Round of Negotiations on Social Security Agreement between Türkiye and Greece Were Held

The delegation headed Deputy Minister of MoLSS Dr. Adnan Ertem, Director General for Foreign Relations and European Union Ali Aybey, Vice Presidents of SSI Lütfi Aydın, Uğur Ecevit and Director General of Social Insurance Institution of Greece Spyridoula Kalatzı attended the meeting, which was held in Neşet Ertaş Conference Hall at the Presidency Building of SSI.

In the keynote speech addressed by Deputy Minister Ertem, it was stated that cordial relations were established between the two countries as from the date of beginning of negotiations until present. Ertem expressed that the social security agreement would give rise to positive outcomes for both countries.

Emphasizing that there exist 35 social security agreements between Türkiye and 35 countries, Mr. Ertem said, “Türkiye is party to the convention of Council of Europe on social security. When viewed from this aspect, our country has over sixty years of experience in the field of social security.”

Touching upon the fact that social security agreements regulate the standards on retirement and work life, Deputy Minister Ertem stated, “I hope that the endeavours for attaining fruitful outcomes in both working and retirement lives of employees at both sides will yield positive results.”

Director General for Foreign Relations and European Union Mr. Aybey drew attention to the fact that the agreement will be for the benefit of citizens in the long term, expressing that social security agreements will remain in force for many years.

Stating that the rights of not only employees but also their family members and dependants are safeguarded by social security agreements, Mr. Aybey noted, “We will have contributed to a crucial legal instrument which will serve for the benefit of citizens of both countries, following the enforcement of the social security agreement we will conclude.”

Thanking for the hospitality of Turkish delegation, Director General of Social Insurance Institution of Greece Spyridoula Kalatzı underlined that the second round negotiations would end effectively and fruitfully, emphasizing that the agreement will strengthen the relations between the two countries.

Following the two-day meeting, negotiations were held on the draft text of social security agreement. The articles agreed upon were taken down.