May 21, 2025 Official Gazette: Comprehensive Decisions, From Diplomacy to Privatization, Enter into Force

The May 21, 2025 issue of the Official Gazette has been published. It contains many important regulations, including new international agreements with Venezuela and Azerbaijan, fund transfers to the Maarif Foundation, Privatization decisions, and amendments to academic staff norms and occupational health and safety regulations.

Ankara - The Republic of Türkiye's official publication, the Official Gazette's May 21, 2025 issue, number 32906, has announced a series of significant decisions and amendments to the public, ranging from international agreements to administrative regulations. Presidential decisions, approvals of international treaties, new regulations, and communiqués detail the steps taken in both the country's domestic and foreign policies.

Important Steps in Foreign Relations: Three New Agreements

The first notable section in this issue of the Official Gazette highlights Türkiye's active role in foreign relations through international agreements. According to the decisions published under the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan:

• Cooperation on Plant Protection with Venezuela: The "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Plant Protection and Quarantine between the Republic of Türkiye and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," signed in Ankara on June 8, 2022, has been approved (Decision No: 9835). This agreement aims to protect the safety of agricultural trade and plant health between the two countries.
• Disaster Management Partnership with Azerbaijan: The "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Disaster and Emergency Management between the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan," signed in Baku on April 15, 2025, has entered into force (Decision No: 9836). This agreement will strengthen joint response and experience sharing in natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
• Economic and Financial Cooperation with TRNC: The effective date of the "Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" has been determined as May 6, 2025 (Decision No: 9837). This decision solidifies the continuity of financial and economic support for the TRNC economy.

Administrative and Economic Regulations: From Maarif Foundation to Privatizations

The Presidential Decisions under the EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION guide the functioning of various public institutions and economic policies:

• Fund Transfer to Türkiye Maarif Foundation: A decision regarding the transfer of funds to the Türkiye Maarif Foundation has been published (Decision No: 9838). This decision aims to support the Foundation's educational activities both domestically and internationally.
• Privatization Administration Decisions: This issue of the Official Gazette contains a series of decisions related to the Privatization Administration, ranging from 9839 to 9854. These decisions include detailed regulations concerning the privatization or transfer of various public assets and reflect steps towards the economic restructuring of the country.

New Rules in Higher Education and Working Life

The regulations and communiqués section brings important changes directly affecting daily life and various sectors:

• Amendment to Academic Staff Norms: The "Regulation Amending the Regulation on the Determination and Use of Academic Staff Norm Cadres in State Higher Education Institutions" has been published. This regulation will affect universities' academic personnel planning and cadre allocations.
• Occupational Health and Safety Hazard Classes Updated: The "Communiqué Amending the Communiqué on Workplace Hazard Classes Related to Occupational Health and Safety" has introduced updates to workplace hazard classifications. These changes will require businesses and employees to review their occupational safety measures.
• Combating Unfair Competition in Imports: "The Communiqué on the Prevention of Unfair Competition in Imports (No: 2025/7)" has entered into force. This communiqué includes new regulations on import policies aimed at protecting domestic producers and ensuring a fair competitive environment.
• Update in the Insurance Sector: Communiqués related to the Insurance Law are also included in this issue, shedding light on current practices in the insurance sector.

This May 21, 2025 issue of the Official Gazette comprehensively presents current regulations concerning internal administrative and economic restructuring, as well as working life, in addition to diplomatic steps that strengthen Türkiye's position in the international arena. The published decisions maintain their characteristic as a significant indicator of transparency and legal continuity in state governance.