We need Turkey against China

Representatives of European companies operating in Turkey stated that the Customs Union between the European Union (EU) and Turkey should be updated quickly.

Heads of European bilateral chambers of commerce and industry in Turkey, such as Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium, introduced the position document they prepared on the Customs Union update to the EU officials at the meeting they held in Brussels.

Speaking at the program, German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Markus Christian Slevogt said, “Everyone who will benefit from the future of Europe should take a closer look at Turkey and invest in this country.” said.

Pointing to the importance of establishing the necessary framework for investments, Slevogt said that with the Customs Union update, Turkey will make a lot of economic contribution to Europe. Reminding that the Customs Union entered into force in 1996, Slevogt stated that the agreement made significant contributions to the commercial activities between Europe and Turkey.

Explaining that the trade between Europe and Turkey increased by 440 percent with the Customs Union, Slevogt said that the Customs Union formed the necessary framework for commercial activities at that time, but today it is insufficient.

Slevogt stated that with the investments made by European companies with the Customs Union, Turkey has been more integrated into Europe’s value chains, and as a result, trade has multiplied.

Pointing to the importance of bringing the value chain that Europe had built from Asian countries such as China to Turkey, in the context of Kovid-19 and geostrategic needs, and bringing it closer to Europe, Slevogt emphasized that the Customs Union is insufficient to meet the needs in the current situation.

“When considering the Customs Union today, we have to expand not only the product range it covers, but also to meet the needs of today’s trade,” Slevogt said. he said.

Pointing out the importance of developing the Customs Union to include areas such as e-commerce, services, agriculture and public tenders, Slevogt said that the update will only create a win-win situation between Turkey and the EU economically.

“The more you trade, the more interaction you get, and the greater the spillover effect, the more chances you have to communicate,” Slevogt said. made its assessment.

– TURKEY RELIABLE PARTNER

Livio Manzini, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “Turkey has proven to be a reliable partner.” made his comment.

Reminding that geostrategy in the world has changed a lot in the last 2-3 years, Manzini said, “If you want to cut ties with China, there is no country other than Turkey.” used the phrase.

Reminding that the UK made the first free trade agreement with Turkey after Brexit, Manzini emphasized that this comprehensive agreement was negotiated during the Kovid-19 period and within a few weeks.

“With the current Customs Union, we are missing the train,” Manzini said. saying

– IMMEDIATE UPDATE

Franck Mereyde, President of the Turkish-French Trade Association, said that the Customs Union should be updated immediately in order to further develop the commercial relations between Turkey and the EU.

Pointing out that the negative news about Turkey in Europe is not compatible with the facts, Mereyde said that a new strategy and framework should be established immediately for mutual trade.

Mereyde stated that with Turkey’s commercial contributions, the EU will be stronger against China and it will be able to solve logistics problems more easily.

The event was organized with the contributions of Communications and Policy Advisor İpek Tekdemir and Sustainable Value Hub, Turkish Belgium Luxembourg Trade Association President Nevzat Tuğrul Şeremet, Turkish Dutch Chamber of Commerce General Manager Veronique van Haaften and European Parliament (EP), EU Commission, European External Action Service ( EEAS) representatives and experts from think tanks in Brussels also attended.