22.07.2014 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the iftar supper hosted by Italy’s Ambassador to Ankara, Gianpaolo Scarante. Speaking at the supper, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:
“First of all, let me
congratulate the Italian Ambassador for holding the EU Presidency. We
appreciate and support the Presidency program. We know that, the program is
very ambitious, however challenging. I wish the Italian Presidency a successful
term. We hope that, as stated, the Italian Presidency will deal with expansion
as a priority. Moreover, Italian Presidency will give fresh energy in the
EU-Turkey accession negotiations.
Here I would like to
refer to the some of the developments in the European Institutions. You had the
European Parliament elections in May. And we all know the results. After the
elections, Martin Shultz was elected as the President of the European
Parliament. We know him very well. Recently Jean-Claude Juncker has been
elected as the Commission President for the next 5 years. We have carefully
studied his program. We agree with the most part of the program on economic and
social policy needs and the external actions.
On the other hand, I
was really shocked about his approach to expansion. Of course, one could say
that, there is a commitment to the ongoing negotiations. However, Turkey was
not even mentioned by him. This situation is totally different from the claim
that, the EU needs a “break” to concentrate on the consolidation. I hope that,
despite Mr. Juncker’s agenda, the Italian approach on Turkey’s membership
process succeeds.”
- “Europe should integrate the countries, who want
more democracy and more rights, into the EU”
“Recent developments
in our region show that, the only way which leads EU to success, goes
hand-in-hand with unity and cooperation. No single European country itself
would be strong enough to defend the interests of its citizens. This is true
for Italy, Germany, France and other European countries. However, this is
equally true, for Turkey, as a key European country, belonging to the G 20. We
also need the European anchor.
Europe should change
its expansion policy for the countries who share the European values. Europe
should integrate the countries, who want more democracy and more rights, into
the EU. The events in Ukraine have proven this. Unless you realize this, it
would take longer and longer, to have full democracy and stability in this region.
It is clear that, our
relations with the EU are difficult. The problems still remain. However, we
wish to concentrate on a positive agenda. I want to underline that, the
position of the Turkish business community on the EU accession of Turkey has
not changed. We see the membership as a
driver for internal reform, for growth and business both in Turkey and in the
EU.
We also see Turkey’s
membership as a driver for stronger role of the EU. In fact, besides Turkish
business community, European enterprises still think positive. In our recent
survey with EUROCHAMBRES, it is clear that, the most of the European companies
believe that, Turkey will become member of the EU.”
- The visa issue
“Let me briefly touch
some problematic areas, where we could, and should find more common grounds.
Visa free travel
remains our goal. We are working hard on fulfilling all conditions. As you know
that, readmission agreement was just signed. The road map is guiding our
efforts towards this goal. As we all know travelling freely into the EU is of
greatest public importance for Turkish business community. The Commission has
recently listed a new visa-proposal, which will soon be discussed within the
Parliament and the Council.
I want to highlight
the fact that, this visa proposal is mostly driven from the perspective of
tourism. The economic needs of business in a properly functioning EU-Turkey
customs union are completely left apart.
Of course, the
situation of Turkey is unique. For example, if you are from Norway, you do
business with the EU; you can travel freely to your business partners, your
lorries enter freely the Community territory. If you are from Turkey you need a
visa to visit your business partner, any lorry that carries goods into the EU
is charged heavily, the drivers have to comply with the visa rule and the
drivers may be send back, for reasons of overstay. (Overstay is many times the
result of waiting at the borders. Nobody can calculate these unexpected waiting
periods before.)
We wish to boost
trade; especially trade between SME’s in the EU-Turkish relations. I advise you
to look at the new visa proposal from an economic point of view. We need to
find a special solution for this problem.”
- “On the matter of transport policy we are treated as
a truly third country”
“Secondly, concerning
the transport policy; despite the Customs Union, we are treated as a truly
third country. The Union has solved this issue for the countries of the
European Economic Area; even for Switzerland, but not for Turkey. I am sure
that, any solution would bring strong great benefits for both sides. Thirdly, I
am aware of the EU`s interest in widening the Customs Union approach to
services and agriculture. This would help overcome current obstacles to trade
and investments. However, we have to make sure that, the EU does not consider
negotiations for a better Customs Union as an alternative to the expansion. We
have to inform the business circle and the public as a whole. Fourthly, as you
all are well aware, this is an area of serious concern to us.”
- “TTIP is also about ensuring possible cooperation
with Turkey”
“Whatever you
negotiate with a third country, we have to follow up, without getting anything
in return from the trade partner. The so-called Turkish clause, which
encourages the country to conclude a similar FTA with Turkey, is not enough. We
lack a proper consultation mechanism, which guarantees that Turkey does not
lose. Take the TTIP negotiations – following a German estimate, Turkey will
belong to the economic losers, next to Mexico and Canada. And this is
unacceptable!
A recent World Bank
study has confirmed the need to overcome the current situation. But this must
be done soon, until the damage is done. Therefore, TTIP is not only about
ensuring better transparency for the EU citizens; it is also about ensuring
possible cooperation with Turkey. In the light of the existing rules, there is
no obstacle for Turkey to take part in the relevant Council committee to be
informed and heard.
I would like to
mention also Cyprus. I am sure we all have interest in getting a final
solution. We have developed our
relations with Greece; we are ready to invest in our neighborhood and
contribute to the development of the region. As I am the Deputy President of
EUROCHAMBRES, I work very closely with both chambers in Greece and Cyprus. In
fact, I was elected three times with their support since 2009. As the business
community, we support the process to find a solution.
We have also taken
concrete initiative. After great efforts and long talks, recently, we managed
to come together as TOBB, Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in
Nicosia. We have decided to establish the Nicosia Economic Forum. We shall come
together on September 14th, in Istanbul.
Finally, I would like
to brief you on the B20 Turkey process. As you all know, Turkey will host the
G20 next year in Turkey. And, as the President of TOBB, I will take over the
B20 Presidency next year. We have been
working to finalize our program. We want an inclusive agenda for all of us. We
want to see more European businesses in this platform. We will approach the
ambassadors of G20 countries on this issue. Also we want to hear the voice of
SMEs in this platform. As I understand, this will also be an EU priority for
the next years. The Commission has announced that it will review the Small
Business Act. We also have to support female entrepreneurship. We need to drive
innovation. These items should be put on
our common agenda, demonstrating the deepening of the EU-Turkish relations in
B20 platform, too.”