19.10.2018 Ankara
European Union Member Countries Ambassadors business luncheon was held at the TOBB Twin Towers through Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Economic Development Foundation (IKV), the EU Delegation to Turkey cooperation. The luncheon, hosted by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, saw discussion on Turkey-EU relations.
TOBB
President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech that the business world
supports Turkey's European Union membership process. Stating that in its history
of over 50 years, the greatest achievement of the European Union is its
expansion, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The expansion process of the European
Continent has promoted democracy, stability, security and prosperity.
Therefore, expansion provides gains not only for the countries participating in
the Union but also for the countries within the European Union. We, as the Union
of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, as the business world, support
Turkey's European Union accession process for this reason. The revival of the
process, we think, is important for both Turkey as well as the European Union.”
Stating
that as of October 2018, Turkey-EU relations have been diminished in their
scope, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Items on the joint statement from the EU-Turkey Leaders
Meeting on November 29, 2015 consisted of the following issues: Accelerating
the accession negotiations, the opening of negotiating chapters, Customs Union
modernization, visa liberalization, Turkey-EU high-level economic dialogue, the
fight against terrorism, Turkey-EU summits - two annual summits, migration and
Syrian refugees, a high-level energy dialogue, high-level political dialogue.
These and similar, a large number of issues which would bring Turkey closer to
EU accession, were on the agenda at that time. At the Varna Summit on March 26,
2018, the list of topics, unfortunately, has become very narrow. In the list
are refugees / immigrants, combating terrorism, the rule of law in Turkey,
Syria, Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. This situation is extremely
sad for the business world as the EU is Turkey’s economic partner.”
- Advanced integration
Stressing
that Turkey's most important trading partner is the European Union,
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported the EU comprised 45% of exports, 38% of imports of Turkey
in 2017. Pointing out that trade between Turkey-European Union has reached around
150 billion Euros, the TOBB President said, “Turkey is the EU's fifth largest
trading partner.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
reported that about 70% of foreign direct investment in Turkey is from the
European Union and significant success in tourism is comprised of EU visitors.
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey, thanks to the customs union, has achieved
an advanced level of economic integration with the European Union. Do you know
where the EU is importing the most cars today? From Turkey. Japan is second
behind us, Korea is the third, the US is the fifth. On the other hand, most
auto exports to EU countries in Turkey, ranked third after the US and China. I
mean, we're really partners with each other; we need to support each other and
win. I'm in the business world in Europe, under the umbrella of EUROCHAMBRES.
As the Vice President of EUROCHAMBRES, I represent the European business world
all over the world. This responsibility, this great honor has been bestowed
upon me by the Turkish business world and the European countries business
world. We are in favor of free trade as the business community. We want a free
trade environment that is tied to more equitable, institution and rules. We
want a medium more conducive to trade. Speaking on behalf of the business
communities of both Europe and Turkey, customs union must be updated. A customs
union prepared under the conditions of the 1990s is no longer sufficient. There
are complaints of the companies operating in Turkey as well as those in EU
member countries. We ask for your support.”
- Matters of visas
Stating
that another area in which support is necessary is visas, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that this is made both on behalf of the Turkish business world and on behalf of
the European business world. Pointing out that companies are facing issues with
visas, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In this regard, we expect the completion of the
Turkey-EU visa talks. We, as the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of
Turkey, strive to keep alive Turkey's European Union accession process. We focus
on projects that will increase awareness. In this process, we are working
closely with the European Union Delegation to Turkey. Currently, we are
conducting the European Union Information Centers project, which aims to
increase information regarding the EU as well as contributing to spreading awareness
throughout Turkey.”
- Projects with EU
Drawing
attention to the EUROCHAMBRES Turkey-EU Business Dialogue Project, Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that the project also aims to prepare the business world for the EU
accession process. The TOBB President said, “We are also taking on a business
dialogue platform and bridge function. Unfortunately, the only successfully
functioning part of the Turkey-EU cooperation is the matter of Syrian refugees.
With this project, we are contributing to the integration of Syrian refugees
into the Turkish economy and social life. The project is carried out through the
European Union resources with a total amount of 22m Euros.”
- Head of EU Delegation to Turkey,
Ambassador Christian Berger
Head
of the EU Delegation to Turkey, Ambassador Christian Berger, stated that the EU
and Turkey are cooperation partners in the matters of the environment, refugees
and chambers during this period, and expressed the need for more dialogue
between the EU and Turkey.
Berger
said that the growth in the EU economy continues; the demand for imports,
consumption expenditures and employment have increased. The unemployment rate
among young people in the EU declined to 14.8%, he said, achieving the highest
level of employment in Europe so far.
Reporting
that EU investments are still ongoing to Turkey Berger, said that 22,000 EU
companies invest directly in the country. Underlining the need for clear
direction in bilateral relations, Berger stated that improvements in relations
between Turkey and EU countries have been observed.
- IKV President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu
IKV
President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu gave information about the projects carried out by
the foundation. Emphasizing that IKV is aiming to create awareness of the
projects they are continuing with, Zeytinoğlu said that they made great efforts
to this end.
Recalling
the important developments regarding the EU accession process of Turkey
Zeytinoğlu expressed hope that various disputes would not prevent the opening
of new chapters. Indicating that they want to solve the obstacles before the
Customs Union as soon as possible, Zeytinoğlu emphasized the importance of
renewing the customs union with the EU as soon as possible.