23.01.2014 Antalya
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the European Union (EU) Minister and Head Negotiator Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu visited the Antalya Commodity Exchange and attended the January monthly council meeting.
Speaking at the
meeting, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his belief that that Minister
Çavuşoğlu will contribute greatly to the actualization of a 150 year old dream
in Turkey’s EU adventure. Emphasizing that ensuring that EU standards are
applicable to Turkey is more important than being a EU member, the TOBB
President reported that they are ready to provide any and all support to
Çavuşoğlu in regards to this matter.
Stating that Antalya
is one of Turkey’s most important cities, hosting 12 million tourists a year
and ensuring an influx of 10 billion USD, TOBB president Hisarcıklıoğlu
reminded that Antalya also markets agricultural goods globally.
Pointing out that the
importance of the agriculture and energy sectors will increase along with the
world’s rapidly increasing population; Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the region is
important in regards to both of these sectors.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
mentioned that the branding of goods produced in Antalya will also reflect
positively on income. Touching on the importance of EXPO 2016 which will be
held in Antalya, Hisarcıklıoğlu requested support for this organization.
European Union (EU)
Minister and Chief Negotiator Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that they are working in
close cooperation with civil society organizations during Turkey’s EU
Membership process. He went on to highlight the importance of agriculture,
increase in exports and product quality, Çavuşoğlu requested that the exchange
board and council members remain active and sensitive in regards to directing
enterprises to take more advantage of EU funding for their projects.
Antalya Governor
Sebahattin Öztürk stressed that Antalya is an important city for tourism and
agriculture in Turkey and that it should be brought to a better position.