Beste Koçgazi Çelikkaya works as legal counsel for the German Aerospace Center and accompanies trendsetting international R&D projects with scientific, industrial and governmental actors. She studied law at the University of Cologne and completed her master’s degree with a focus on international legal relations. Stays abroad during her studies led her to the USA and Turkey, including stations at the German Consulate General in San Francisco as well as at the Istanbul University and the Middle East Technical University in Ankara.
Beste has several years of experience in advising commercial enterprises as well as state institutions in various legal systems. She has previously worked in the energy segment of the Bayer Group and for a law firm in Istanbul specialised in international business law. Born and raised in Germany, she attaches great importance to an intensive dialogue with Turkish society. For her, Turkish people living in Europe hold a key role in fostering relations between Turkey and Europe. Beste volunteers as a mentor in refugee relief.