25.06.2015 İstanbul
Speaking at the 3rd Global Arbitration Review, TOBB and Jerusalem Arbitration Centre (JAC) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the Jerusalem Arbitration Centre is an independent, non-political and professional bilateral dispute resolution forum.
Stating that as a businessman,
he believes in peace, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We all work to make more profit and
bring more welfare to our people. For more welfare, we need more trade. And for
more trade, we need peace. I believe economic integration and private sector
solutions are very important for peace building. Think about the European Union
project. It is one of the most successful peace projects in the world. Remember
the relations between Germany and France, before the foundation of the EU. The
relations between two countries were one the major reasons for the world war.
And look at now! Germany and France are the engines of the European Economy.
This has been achieved by economic integration and business initiatives.”
Stressing the need to
learn from this integration model, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that dialogue, between
business communities is central for stability, and peace in our region.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the initiative of JAC is a hope for a better future, with supporting
commercial relations. It shows the commitment of businessmen in Palestine and
Israel for the prosperity of their people.
- “Israel is
Palestine’s main trading partner”
Reporting that business
communities of Israel and Palestine have managed to generate a trade volume of
5 billion US dollars, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “For Palestine, Israel is still the
main trading partner. For the Turkish exporters to Palestine, the export mostly
is done via Israeli business. So, the disputes between both sides have an
automatic impact on Turkish business, which is active in the region.It is clear
that, everywhere in the world, when there are commercial transactions there are
always potential for disputes.
This is the same and
even worse for Israeli and Palestinian commercial relations. The Israeli courts
used to be the only reference point for any commercial dispute. I am not going
to talk about the difficulties of such a situation. Because the difficulties
are crystal clear. However, there was no other dispute resolution mechanism
other that the Israeli Courts. Imagine! You do business. You face dispute. But,
you do not have the trust on the mechanism to bring the dispute. This is
discouraging for business. On the other hand, the business has its own
dynamics. Business finds its way. So, business leaders in Palestine and Israel
realized that there is a need for a neutral mechanism to resolve commercial
disputes. Because, both business communities see a common ground to work
together.
In 2013, the
initiative to set up such a dispute resolution mechanism became a reality with
the establishment of the Jerusalem Arbitration Center (JAC). Both the Israeli
and Palestinian business jointly invited me to be the international chairman of
the Jerusalem Arbitration Center. I feel really honored by this invitation.
- “JAC will
play an important role in bringing Palestinian and Israeli business communities
closer”
Stating that the idea of an
arbitration center for the region first came about 7 years ago and since then,
Israeli and Palestinian business, ICC, other international organizations and
internationally well-known people have worked hard to make this dream come
true, culminating finally in the official establishment of the Jerusalem
Arbitration Center in March, 2013, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Now, with the
establishment of the Centre, we all have witnessed a historical moment.
JAC will provide
arbitration services to disputes related to Israel, The West Bank and Gaza
including East Jerusalem. It will also serve as an arbitration center to
resolve commercial disputes between Palestinian-Palestinian and Israeli-Israeli
businesses. Now, Palestinian and Israeli businesses have a mechanism, where
they can refer their commercial disputes. They both have the assurance that,
the disputes will be resolved through an impartial, reliable, speedy and cost‐efficient process. Let me state once again that, this
is a business led initiative. However, we have the support of both Israeli and
Palestinian governments. This support is also very valuable. I believe this
Centre will play an important role in bringing Palestinian and Israeli business
communities closer. And this will help us to build peace and prosperity in the
Middle East. Establishing this Centre gives us hope for performing peaceful
commercial relations and, of course, for a better future. Also, this initiative
shows the commitment of the businessmen from both sides to enrich their nations.”