08.04.2019 Brussels / Belgium
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President and the European Chamber of Commerce Association (EUROCHAMBRES) Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Negotiations to modernize the Customs Union should begin. Postponement of this issue for political reasons is unjust. This modernization is beneficial for Turkey and the EU.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
spoke at the opening of the 38th Meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint
Consultative Committee, of which he is co-chair, held in Brussels.
Expressing
hope that the meeting will contribute to the development of Turkey-EU relations,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey-EU relations have become more important than ever.
Turkey and all EU countries faced with common challenges such as the refugees
and illegal migration flows, terrorism, cyber-attacks, rising protectionist tendencies
in international trade, climate change and energy security. No single country
can fight these problem. This also applies to Turkey and the EU. Therefore,
Turkey and the EU must collaborate and combat global problems as never before
to.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
said that the previous generation had left behind the world's most important
peace project in the EU, and that future generations should leave behind a
richer, safer and more peaceful continent.
- “Economic aspects of Turkey and
Europe are interconnected”
Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, pointing out that the accession process is essentially the
basis of EU-Turkey relations, “The current top priority of Turkey-EU relations
is to ensure progress in the accession negotiations.”
Stating
that Turkey and the EU should be in dialogue and close cooperation on matters
of economy, social policy, energy, the fight against terrorism, Syrian refugees
and foreign policy, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that the Customs Union and visa
liberalization issues are also on the agenda priority.
Hisarcıklıoğlu,
concerning the Customs Union update, “Although European and Turkish business
worlds are in agreement, we do not understand why the Customs Union
Modernization negotiations still have not begun. The economic aspects of Turkey
and Europe interconnected.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stating that the need to begin negotiations for the modernization of Customs Union,
said, “Postponement of this issue for political reasons is unjust. This
modernization is beneficial for Turkey and the EU.”
Stressing
that Turkey is Europe's 6th largest economy and Europe's 4th
major export market, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the EU is Turkey’s largest
export market while European investors rank first in Turkey foreign investors.
- “Turkey's commitment in carrying
out these reforms is well known”
TOBB
President and EUROCHAMBRES Vice President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey's economic
relations with the EU are a guide for its political transformation efforts,
noting the following:
“The
EU accession process requires comprehensive reforms. We have undergone
fundamental reforms, such as the rule of law, the protection of fundamental
rights and freedoms and the market economy. Are there any shortcomings? We have
a lot of work to be done, we have more steps to take. We are also aware of
these reforms. We have to do this for our people and for our economy. Turkey's
determination in carrying out these reforms is very well known”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that the visa issue is one of the priorities, and that visa
liberalization is in fact a benefit to both sides and visa liberalization dialogue
should be completed as soon as possible.
The
meeting was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Faruk Kaymakçı,
Turkey's EU Permanent Representative Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, TESK
President Bendevi Palandöken, TÜRK-İŞ President Ergun Atalay, MEMUR-SEN President
Ali Yalçın, Turkey KAMU-SEN President Önder Kahveci TİSK Secretary General
Akansel Koç, IKV President and TOBB Deputy Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu KAGİDER Itır
Aykut and Turkey Industrial Relations Association Board Member Prof. Dr. Rüçhan
Işık.
During
the two-day meeting, Turkey-EU relations, SMEs, Development of Trade and Investment
Environment Opportunities between Turkey-EU, EU-Turkey accession process, the
role of civil society organizations and social partners, as well as the modernization
of the EU-Turkey Customs Union and visa dialogue issues were discussed.