09.07.2021 Ankara
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was awarded the State Order by the Federal Republic of Germany. At the ceremony held at the Embassy in Ankara, German Ambassador Jürgen Schulz pointed out that Hisarcıklıoğlu has made significant contributions to the development of Turkey's economic relations with Germany and the EU. Schulz said the order was given to those who dedicated their lives to their duties, and Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu deserved it. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that he is receiving the award on behalf of the Turkish business community.
Emphasizing that Turkey
and Germany have deep-rooted historical, economic and humanitarian relations,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Germany is a great economy. Turkey is also the largest
industrial giant between Italy and China. These two major economies have
important relationships, both in terms of investment and economics. German
Chancellor Angela Merkel and our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are important
in this success. Both leaders contribute to the development of the business
worlds of the two countries.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu noted
that there are over 3 million Turks living in Germany, mostly German citizens,
and that they carry out important tasks in the business world, politics,
sports, art, education and health of the country.
Pointing out that there
are over 7,000 German companies in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:
“They have investments
of around 10 billion euros. German companies employ about 120,000 people in
Turkey. Germany, the largest economy of the European Union (EU), but also the
engine of the EU, has always been a pioneer and decisive in Turkey-EU
relations. We have Germany's support in every decision that brings Turkey
closer to the EU. Looking at the agenda of Turkey-EU relations, we need
Germany's support. In particular, the modernization of the Customs Union and
visa liberalization for Turkish citizens are at the forefront.”
- “There are deep ties between Germany and Turkey”
German Ambassador to
Ankara Jürgen Schulz said economic relations between the two countries are
expressions of mutual trust and understanding.
Schulz stated that the
trade volume between Turkey and Germany increases every year. “In both
countries, companies establish their representations and build production
facilities The two countries have an intense relationship with their
communities set apart from politics. Although our relations in the field of
economics are close and multifaceted, our partnership and friendship between
our countries goes far beyond that. The economy benefits from this close
partnership. Germany and Turkey have deep ties beyond the purchase of goods and
services in the field of economics. These ties, which date back years, were
formed thanks to the people of both countries. These people wrote the story of
the unique relationship between our countries,” he said.
Schulz stated that they
want to honor Hisarcıklıoğlu with the presentation of the State Order, and that
the TOBB President has the credibility to solve the problems of German
companies.
"Mr. Rifat, the
combination of your ability to see ahead, your extraordinary environment in the
business world and your mediation skills that bring the parties together has
made it an ideal bridge between the Turkish political world and economic
relations between Germany and Turkey," Schulz said.
Schulz emphasized that
Hisarcıklıoğlu was the one who supported and consulted with interest the German-Turkish
Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Turkey) problems in Istanbul at all
times, and said that they owed it to Hisarcıklıoğlu’s personal and decisive
initiatives to sign and operate the protocol for the establishment of AHK
Turkey in 1994.
Hisarcıklıoğlu also
made important contributions to the vocational education of young people in
Turkey, Schulz said.
“The presentation of
the Order of the State is a private and personal matter. With this engagement,
we want to honor the people who have done extraordinary service. We want to
honor people like you who have dedicated their lives to their duties and whose
private lives and work lives are intertwined, and whose dedication to their
duties shines through.”
- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakcı
Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakcı noted the importance of cooperation between the
two countries during the “State Order of the Federal Republic of Germany
Presentation Ceremony” held at the German Embassy in Ankara.
Kaymakcı stated that
the presentation of the State Order is a reflection of Turkish-German
friendship and said that philanthropy and problem solving are important values
in the relations between the two countries. Kaymakcı stated that Hisarcıklıoğlu
is a worker, tradesman and human friend.
Pointing out that Turks
and Germans can do great things together, Kaymakcı said, “Today, in the fight
against Covid-19, Europe's vaccine has become a Turkish-German mix. When Turks
and Germans work together in difficult regions of the world, they have the
opportunity to carry out important peace, stability and development projects.”
At the ceremony,
Ambassador Schulz presented the State Order to Hisarcıklıoğlu.