28.04.2018 Brussels / Belgium
Speaking at the 60th Anniversary Ceremony of EUROCHAMBRES (Union of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry) in Brussels, TOBB President and EUROCHAMBRES Vice-President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the fact that economic integration is a prerequisite for lasting peace, security and economic prosperity. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have to pave the way for start-ups and provide appropriate conditions for businesses. We need common ground and a flexible atmosphere.”
TOBB President and EUROCHAMBRES Vice-President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu
attended the EUROCHAMBRES 60th Anniversary Ceremony in Brussels and
spoke to the European business community.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, conveying his views on the European integration of the
Turkish business world, congratulated EUROCAMBRES for knowing that European
integration will also need the voice of the business world as progress is made.
“We have always been the main forces of the integration process. We know that economic
integration is a prerequisite for lasting peace, security and economic
prosperity. In this context, we have brought the needs of the business world to
the forefront and we have fought together for them. EUROCHAMBRES has become an
indispensable element of the European integration process.”
- EUROCHAMBRES's responsibility
for integration
Stating that EUROCHAMBRES has great responsibility for the future of
European integration, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We must emphasize that European
integration will be lacking as long as it does not cover the entire European continent.
The situation in which we find ourselves makes this difficult. Take the Balkans
and Turkey as an example. It is unclear how strategic relations with Ukraine,
Moldova and Georgia, or a healthy relationship can be established with Russia.
Again, the process of secession of the UK will lead to political debate
across Europe. As the business world, protecting the domestic market is of
great importance for us. The EU is losing an important and valuable member like
the UK. Political, economic and cultural relations with Britain should be kept
as close as possible.”
- We need a trading system of
global rules
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "We need to think about how to prevent other
possible divisions in the future. We need rules for the business world to grow
and internationalize. We have to pave the way for start-ups and provide
appropriate conditions for businesses. We need common ground and a flexible
atmosphere. This is a digital age. The future will not look at the factories
you set up or the numbers you employ. It will be the data you gather, the
points that you combine and the services you offer to collect which matter. It
will connect people more and more. We need a trading system of global rules. We
need to do this by reviving the World Trade Organization.”
Stating that the European Union should focus on global opportunities,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “One Generation One Way” initiative initiated by China has
been neglected and that the visit of EUROCHAMBRES President Leitl to China in
the near future is very important.
- Wakeup call from EUROCHAMBRES
President Leitl
President of EUROCHAMBRES and President of the Austrian Federal Chamber
of Commerce Christoph Leitl called on Europe to wake up, emphasizing that
economic competition has progressed rapidly in other parts of the world.
Leitl stated that nationalism cannot answer fears of globalization,
technological innovations and immigration. Europe can continue its success without
dividing Europe and renewing its institutions with a clear target and strategy.
Emphasizing that 47 members and 1,700 local chambers and EUROCHAMBRES
would make a contribution to the achievement of this goal, Leitl invited all
Europe to make this a matter for the mind, not the heart.
The program also included parallel sessions on Trade and Investment,
Migration and Entrepreneurship.
EUROCHAMBRES’ 60th Anniversary was also attended by Nevşehir
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Arif Parmaksız, Kocaeli Chamber of
Industry Chair Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce Chair Tuncay
Yıldırım, Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Ayhan Kızıltan, Elazığ
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Asilhan Arslan, Çorlu Ticaret and
Chamber of Industry Chair İzzet Volkan and TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council
Member Mine Ayhan.