One of Türkiye’s main business organizations has launched a sequence of diplomatic and business initiatives to re-energize relations with the European Union, together with efforts to resolve longstanding visa points and modernize the customs union settlement.
The efforts come as the worldwide order is being redesigned, fueled by the United States’ insurance policies which have revived commerce wars, Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) Chair Nail Olpak advised a gathering with reporters on Monday.
This has made it pressing to revamp Türkiye’s business relationship with the EU, lengthy the nation’s most vital commerce associate, Olpak stated.
He emphasised the necessity to transfer Türkiye-EU relations onto a extra trendy and sustainable footing.
“Beyond fixing technical issues like the visa backlog and road transport quotas, we must expand the scope of the customs union to include digitalization, green transition, public procurement, e-commerce, and services. This would bring mutual benefit to both sides,” Olpak defined.
Late final month, DEIK held a high-level assembly on EU financial relations in Ankara, the place the EU Ambassador to Türkiye, Thomas Hans Ossowski, and several other EU member state ambassadors joined Turkish business representatives and regional council heads.
“EU Delegation President Ossowski also acknowledged at the meeting that the world is going through uncertain and challenging times. He emphasized that in this period, filled with quotas, restrictions, and uncertainties, economic partnerships are more important than ever,” stated Olpak.
“The modernization of the customs union is the backbone of Türkiye-EU economic relations, and our expectations on this matter remain strong.”
At the assembly, each Türkiye and the EU demonstrated a robust and decided stance on this challenge, in keeping with the DEIK chair. “Ossowski emphasized the importance of pragmatic steps in updating the customs union and clearly stated that Türkiye must be at the table during this process,” he added.
Customs union overhaul
First applied in 1995, the Türkiye-EU Customs Union has helped enhance financial ties. But business teams have lengthy argued that the settlement is outdated and ill-suited for at the moment’s commerce surroundings.
As the EU rolls out new digital and climate-related requirements, Turkish exporters face a rising compliance burden – but with out the complete advantages of membership or equal say in rule-making.
In the period of rising world protectionism, Olpak stated, the complete realization of the potential of Türkiye-EU financial relations can’t be realized with out a modernized commerce deal.
“The discussions at the meeting, especially the views on strengthening economic and trade partnerships, were highly significant. At the same time, it is crucial for the EU to accelerate its bureaucratic processes,” he stated.
Türkiye’s whole commerce quantity with Europe – together with each EU and non-EU international locations – reached $327 billion in 2024, with $149 billion in exports and $178 billion in imports, in keeping with DEIK.
Visa challenge
A significant flashpoint in Türkiye-EU relations stays the visa regime, which Turkish business leaders argue severely restricts business mobility.
The challenge is now essentially the most vital impediment affecting each businesspeople and residents, stated Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, DEIK’s Europe Business Councils coordinator and chair of the Türkiye-Germany Business Council.
Yalçındağ stated DEIK is planning a gathering with Germany’s Foreign Ministry to urgently tackle the delays and denials Turkish candidates are going through.
“How can we grow trade with countries that don’t grant us visas?” he requested. “Visa policy must change rapidly. It is the No. 1 signal Europe can send to Türkiye – and we must enter a new phase on visa issue.”
Yalçındağ expressed hope that Germany’s newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz, together with his background within the non-public sector, might take a extra pragmatic method and assist additional develop bilateral relations.
Source: www.dailysabah.com