Türkiye’s high commerce official expressed on Wednesday optimism about what he stated was a optimistic environment in relations with the European Union, highlighting the willingness of each side to boost their financial ties and handle challenges associated to the customs union.
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat’s remarks got here after his journey to Brussels, the place he stated his conferences showcased mutual eagerness to provoke a extra profound dialogue between Türkiye and the EU and handle the customs union points.
Bolat held talks with European Commission Executive Vice President and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, and Paolo Gentiloni, the EU commissioner for the financial system.
“Our sincere desire to enhance and deepen economic relations between Türkiye and the EU, address some issues arising from the customs union, and initiate a dialogue and deeper relationships between Türkiye and the EU has found a positive response among EU officials,” stated the minister.
“It may be very pleasing to see a optimistic environment prevailing in EU-Türkiye relations,” Bolat famous.
Bolat on Tuesday reiterated the pressing must replace the customs union settlement with the European Union to align with the realities of the worldwide financial system and the spirit of their partnership.
On Wednesday, he stated they noticed a want to beat the commerce deal issues regularly.
The EU-Türkiye Customs Union got here into pressure in 1995 however is restricted to industrial items and processed agricultural merchandise. A deeper commerce settlement can be expanded to providers, farm items, and public procurement.
Türkiye is the one non-EU nation with a customs union settlement with the bloc. The European Commission, the EU’s govt arm, has lengthy pushed for revamping the deal however didn’t register any progress.
The settlement has been a turning level within the commerce and financial integration between Türkiye and the EU. It lifted its bilateral commerce quantity from some $30 billion (TL 832 billion) in 1995 to a report excessive of practically $200 billion in 2022.
“In the face of a barely shrinking world commerce and manufacturing downturn this 12 months, sustaining final 12 months’s figures can be a hit,” stated Bolat.
“However, our focus stays on resolving disputes and advancing processes for the longer term.”
Bolat additionally highlighted the upcoming European Commission enlargement report in November, which he stated is anticipated to mirror Türkiye’s optimistic developments in international coverage, financial relations and cooperation with the EU. He additionally anticipated optimistic suggestions concerning overcoming challenges inside the customs union and EU relations.
EU member state leaders are scheduled to convene in mid-December in Brussels, the place they’ll determine on the way forward for relations with Türkiye based mostly on the street map ready by the fee, based on the minister.
Bolat reiterated the considerations of Turkish companies concerning visa points, transportation quotas and customs procedures, emphasizing that they conveyed to EU officers the necessity for swift resolutions. He indicated that EU officers acknowledged these considerations and expressed a optimistic inclination towards addressing them.
Concrete progress is already underway on the technical degree, stated Bolat, with latest conferences between officers and delegations in Istanbul.
“We’re on the right track. We will proceed step by step. As we develop our relations at a deeper and more advanced level in the economy and trade, we will also strive to ensure that conflicts and difficulties are resolved from a political point of view,” the minister famous.
Source: www.dailysabah.com