Ezgi Gizem Başer is a seasoned EU affairs expert at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. With over twelve years of experience in the field, she has honed her expertise in policy analysis, strategic coordination, and coordinating efforts for Türkiye’s alignment with EU policies and standards. Her career reflects a strong dedication to advancing Türkiye’s EU accession process and to strengthening ties between Türkiye and Europe for a shared and prosperous future. In April 2011, after passing a highly competitive three-stage exam, she began her career as an assistant EU affairs expert. After successfully defending her thesis for expertise on the European Parliament, she was appointed as an expert in 2015.

As an expert on EU affairs, she is preparing reports on the different aspects of Türkiye-EU relations, following inter-parliamentary relations, and briefing stakeholders on the state of play in accession negotiations. She also follows the developments in the enlargement policy of the EU and the debates on the future of Europe. Gizem’s academic background has laid a strong foundation for her professional journey. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Faculty of Political Science (Mülkiye) at Ankara University, one of Türkiye’s most prestigious institutions for political and administrative studies. Known for producing prominent diplomats, academics, and public officials, Mülkiye provided Gizem with a rigorous education in global politics and Türkiye’s strategic role in international affairs.

She participated in the Erasmus student exchange program at the University of Stuttgart in Germany to enhance and integrate their theoretical knowledge across various fields in a European context. One year of experience in Stuttgart had granted her profound insights into various aspects of European integration. Building upon this distinguished foundation, she holds a master's degree in International Relations from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI), jointly offered by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Universitat de Barcelona, earned through the prestigious Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme. She authored a compelling dissertation exploring the intricate interplay between security and development within the framework of the EU's external relations. In 2022, Gizem was selected as a fellow for the Turkey-Europe Future Forum, an initiative by Stiftung Mercator in cooperation with TUSIAD.

The Forum unites passionate young leaders from Türkiye and Europe, fostering meaningful dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding. This fellowship provided her with a platform to engage with policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders, further enhancing her insights into Türkiye-EU relations and contributing to her professional development. She is an advocate for inclusive policymaking and sustainable development. She is particularly interested in the intersection of gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability within the broader context of European politics. In addition to these passions, she is deeply committed to animal welfare activism, with a special focus on supporting and protecting stray animals.

She actively participates in initiatives to improve the lives of stray animals, raising awareness about their welfare and advocating for humane solutions. Her dedication to these values is reflected in her efforts to integrate them into policy discussions, international collaborations, and community engagement. Gizem has a genuine passion for writing analytical pieces on European politics. She takes great interest in unpacking the complexities of EU policies, international relations, and their impact on Türkiye and the surrounding region. Her dedication to policy analysis enables her to offer nuanced perspectives, bridging academic insight with real-world implications. Gizem thrives on delving into the intricacies of European political frameworks, contributing to discussions that shape understanding and inspire informed dialogue. Whether through research or writing, she consistently brings thoughtful, well-informed views to the table, making her a voice in the realm of European political analysis.