Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated Thursday that an replace on the customs union will profit each Türkiye and the European Union, including {that a} truthful method is required for Türkiye when it comes to visa liberalization as nicely.
“Especially in these two matters, we expect a positive perspective to be formed at the EU summit next month. The customs union revision will be beneficial for both Türkiye and the EU,” the minister stated as a part of his remarks following conferences with EU officers.
The modernization of the Nineties commerce deal, which is proscribed to industrial items and processed agricultural merchandise, was usually on the agenda in current durations with different officers not too long ago urging “swift action” to increase it to incorporate very important areas comparable to companies and e-commerce. The prolonged processing instances for visas and visa rejections additionally stay a thorny problem between the EU and Türkiye, additionally acknowledged by Turkish officers.
In the framework of his Brussels contacts, Kacır held conferences with European Commission members, together with Iliana Ivanova, commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth; Oliver Varhelyi, commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement; and Thierry Breton, European commissioner for the Internal Market.
As a part of his assembly with Ivanova, the minister stated that they mentioned the applications by which Türkiye collaborates with the EU within the subject of analysis and improvement (R&D) and innovation, based on an Anadolu Agency (AA) report.
“Currently, Türkiye plays a significant role as a stakeholder in the Horizon Europe program. Türkiye has already achieved success in Horizon Europe that goes beyond the Horizon 2020 program,” Kacır stated.
Pointing out that the influence of (R&D) investments made by Türkiye, particularly within the final 20 years, is efficient on this success, Kacır continued to say that the nation has constructed up a “tremendous” analysis and innovation ecosystem.
“In our technoparks, numbering more than 100, our 10,000 companies, more than 1,600 R&D and design centers, our universities numbering more than 200, our 23 research universities and close to 3,000 of our startups located in our technoparks have built up a tremendous innovation and R&D ecosystem,” he defined.
“This ecosystem has now become a pioneer in many research and development projects in EU programs. Being able to exist more strongly in these programs in the coming period and developing EU-Türkiye relations in this perspective will be very valuable for us,” he underscored.
Kacır additional acknowledged that they’re planning to carry the subsequent high-level dialogue mechanism assembly with Ivanova in Türkiye “in the coming months,” explaining that they may convey collectively ecosystem stakeholders to strengthen Türkiye-EU collaborations, particularly in excessive expertise areas, within the assembly to be held.
He additional talked about that he additionally met with Varhelyi, recalling that there’s an EU Summit forward, touching upon Türkiye’s EU accession course of.
“The works conducted by Varhelyi and (Josep) Borrell, the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, especially in this summit, will make significant contributions to Türkiye’s EU accession process. I hope we are approaching a very good point in this regard,” he stated.
‘The worth Türkiye provides is felt’
“Although Türkiye is not yet a member of the EU, it is a natural member of Europe and actually a part of the European family. We, as Türkiye, undertake a very important role and responsibility in European value chains,” he defined.
“Today, Turkish companies play critical roles in the production processes of many products. In some areas, we are the largest production country in Europe,” the minister stated, highlighting areas comparable to iron, metal, flat glass and photo voltaic panels manufacturing. “We play a critical role in the value chain in many areas,” he famous.
Recalling that present annual overseas commerce between Türkiye and the EU stands at practically $200 billion, Kacır stated: “We realize nearly $100 billion of our exports to the EU, which is 41% of our total exports. The EU is important to us, but we are also very important to the EU.”
Stating that he expects the Türkiye-EU relationship to progress extra positively within the coming interval, Kacır talked about his third assembly with Breton, whose space of duty additionally consists of directing the Digital Europe Program.
“He carries an important responsibility and role in the realization of the 7.5 billion euro Digital Europe Program. We announced that we joined the program in the past months.”
‘Indispensable a part of EU worth chain’
“All these efforts are accelerating thanks to the recognition of the value Türkiye adds to Europe in the current conjuncture,” he stated.
“Türkiye has achieved tremendous activity in critical technology areas. With its human resources, technological infrastructure, entrepreneurial ecosystem and industrial production capabilities, Türkiye is an indispensable part of the EU value chain.”
Reiterating that he additionally mentioned the customs union renewal course of and visa liberalization course of with Varhelyi, Kacır known as on the EU and stated: “Just as we talk about the free movement of products, we must enable the free movement of the vehicles carrying these products and the people using these vehicles. We must ensure that Türkiye actively takes part in the decision-making processes regarding the customs union.”
“In the coming period, we need to take important steps in the customs union, covering all digital areas. Ultimately, the EU competes in these areas with other regions and countries, and Türkiye, with the role it plays in the EU value chain, adds significant power to the EU in this competition. The customs union revision will be beneficial for both Türkiye and the EU in this regard.”
“Visa liberalization is now an important expectation of our people. In this regard, Türkiye needs to be subject to a fair approach. We expect this from our stakeholders in the EU,” he concluded.
Source: www.dailysabah.com