25.04.2016 İstanbul
Speaking at the Turkey – EU High Level Economy Dialogue meeting, TOBB President and EUROCHAMBRES Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that strengthening economic relations between Turkey and the EU as well as the increasing economic balances would also strengthen political bonds, “Economic bonds are the best way to overcome political difficulties. That is why we must do our part and be role models for policy-makers.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
requested support from the EU in regards to lifting visas, transportation
quotas and the inclusion of Turkey in the TTIP agreement between the USA and
the EU.
Turkey - EU High
Level Economy Dialogue meeting took place at the İstanbul Hilton with the
attendances of Prime Minister Deputy Mehmet Şimşek, Customs and Commerce
Minister Bülent Tüfekci, EU Minister Volkan Bozkır and Economy Minister Mustafa
Elitaş as well as European Commission Members, representatives of the business
community and civil society organizations in Turkey and the EU in addition to
representatives of international finance organizations.
TOBB President and
EUROCHAMBRES Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the halt to
Turkey’s membership process is costly for both sides. Stating that they view
the decision to speed up the process positively, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We want
all chapters to be opened for negotiations and completed. We, the business
community, are prepared to do our duty in regards to the completion of the
various criteria. It is very important for the Turkish economy and business
community to be a part of the EU-USA trade block, or the TTIP. EU should
support Turkey in this process.”
- Business community wants to see the light at the end
of the tunnel
Stating that there
are many mechanisms which bring together the business communities of the EU and
Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that there is no platform which brings all
elements together in a single place and stressed the fact that TOBB, as the
umbrella organization of the Turkish business community supports all efforts in
regards to Turkey’s membership in the EU.
Pointing out that
they put great importance on improving the investment environment in Turkey as
well as increasing dialogue with the EU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are working
on many projects with financial support from the EU aiming to increase capacity
and develop civil society dialogue. With our network of local chambers, we are running
the EU Information Centers Project. This is the European Commission’s most
fundamental communications project. Turkey’s membership negotiations have been
underway for a decade. We are yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The business community wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
- Visas and transportation quotas
Reporting that
Turkish transportation companies are encountering problems in regards to
transportation quotas in the European Union, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that both the
WTO and the G20 have emphasized problems stemming from over-protective
policies. Stating that those who voice these concerns are not likewise
concerned with the quotas which Turkish trucks are subject to inside the EU, M.
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “While there is talk of free flow of goods, the
passage of certain individuals doing the transportation is restricted. This is
an unfair non-tariff obstruction. The EC underlined the costs of vehicles
waiting within the EU. That is why we request your support in regards to the
issues of lifting visas and transportation quotas. There should be no fears
that lifting visas would bring new problems to the EU from Turkey. Quite the
opposite, there will be benefits for both parties. We are aware of the fact
that there are conflicting opinions on the matter in the EU. We also take note
of the various domestic pressures in some countries. To this end, we posit that
the EU-Turkey Agreement is a sign of a closer partnership and a right step on
the path to EU membership for Turkey. That is why we must stress the importance
of keeping the trust of the Turkish people.”
- Prime Minister Deputy Mehmet Şimşek
Prime Minister Deputy
Mehmet Şimşek stated that the EU is a great success and said, “I believe that
if Turkey is able to practice the rule of law, improve its standards of
democracy and the quality of its institutions, drawing it closer with Europe,
there is every sign of increase in investments. Risk ratings for Turkey fall.
That is why the EU membership process is the most comprehensive reform program
for Turkey. The EU is a great success. That is very important for us. Hopefully
Turkey will improve its institutional quality, its stability and the rule of
law.”
- Reform emphasis
Speaking on the
importance of reforms, Şimşek said, “For the first time, we have a Prime
Minister Deputy in charge of reforms. There has been greatly encouraging
developments in just the last 3-4 months. We will bring flexibility to the job
market. We’ve already presented various legislative changes to the National
Assembly. I believe that the reforms regarding job market flexibility will be
enacted once reforms pertaining to the EU visas liberalization process are completed.
By catching up to the public administration current deficit last year we
achieved an important milestone. We must ensure that this success is permanent
via reforms. We are diverting a quarter of tax income to education and a fifth
to healthcare. We are enacting reforms in education in regards to quality. We
are working for more transparency and combating corruption. The political
ethics law will also be reviewed by the National Assembly.”
TÜSİAD Chair Cansen
Başaran Symes touched on the importance of Turkey’s EU membership as a goal,
stating that this would improve democracy, development and competition.
EUROCHAMBRES
Secretary General Arnaldo Abruzzini stated that the Syrian refugees are also
taking their hidden talents with them to the countries they are fleeing to,
“This crisis could be an opportunity to further develop our relations. We must
bring to light the hidden talents of refugees as the business community.”
- Eurasia Tunnel Project tour
Following the
meeting, TOBB President and EUROCHAMBRES Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu,
Prime Minister Deputy in charge of the Economy Mehmet Şimşek and the European
Commission members toured the construction site of the Eurasia Tunnel Project.
The delegation
inspected the tunnel and took a commemorative photograph with the workers
afterwards.
Şimşek, Katainen and
Hahn signed the commemorative ledger following which gifts were exchanged,
ending the visit.