Minister of Health Dr Fahrettin Koca and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides met in Ankara on 18 April for the second EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Health.
The first High-Level Dialogue on Health was held on 30 November 2021. As demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting reiterated the importance of cooperation in the area of health between the EU and Türkiye, as an EU candidate country.
During the meeting, Minister Koca and Commissioner Kyriakides discussed collaboration on cross-border health threats, the fight against cancer, the impact of climate change on public health and mental health. Both the EU and Türkiye noted the importance of these shared priorities for citizens.
In this context, it was also noted that close cooperation between the parties is important for the prevention, preparedness, and response to cross-border health threats.
The EU and Türkiye share common priorities in the fight against cancer, which affects both individual health and the quality of life of patients and their loved ones. Furthermore, it has social and other consequences. Discussions were held on enhancing cooperation between the parties, with a view to ensuring further positive results in tackling cancer at all stages.
Regarding the impact of climate change on public health, which is a global issue, both sides agreed that collaboration is essential. Measures against natural disasters and to manage existing and emerging risks would contribute significantly to preventing and responding rapidly to new health threats related to climate change.
Mental health was also on the agenda of the Dialogue. Both sides exchanged information on respective initiatives, noting the impact of determinants of health such as education, digitalisation, environment, and climate on mental health.
Minister Koca expressed his gratitude towards Commissioner Kyriakides for her visit and highlighted that the EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Health meetings will strengthen the collaboration between the EU and Türkiye in the field of health and have a positive impact on the work already carried out in different areas.
Following the meeting, Minister Koca and Commissioner Kyriakides acknowledged the significance of the High-Level Dialogue on Health in fostering further cooperation between the EU and Türkiye.
It was agreed to convene the next dialogue meeting in 2025.
