Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB Vice President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu said at the meeting at TOBB Twin Towers that the EU-Turkey Business Relations Survey reflects the Turkish private sector's view on the issue.

Zeytinoğlu stated that the survey is part of the EU-Turkey Business Dialogue Project and stated that Turkey and the EU are both partners and allies.

Zeytinoğlu noted that the Turkish business community has always supported Turkey's integration with the EU, “We see this relationship as a roadmap and recipe for the transformation of Turkey's economic, business, social and humanitarian life. The Customs Union has been the most important tool in the transformation of industrial production capacity. Accession negotiations have expanded and taken this contribution further. We have all felt the positive impact of accession negotiations in different areas. Unfortunately, after many years, accession talks between Turkey and the EU have stalled. We all know, we need each other,” he said.

- “60% of Turkish companies support EU accession”

Pointing out that almost half of Turkey's exports are made to the EU market, Zeytinoğlu said: “European value chains pass through Turkey, especially in the automotive sector. Turkey needs a green transformation agenda in line with the EU Green Deal initiative. In my opinion, the Green Deal can be considered the most important positive agenda item. On the other hand, the modernization of the Customs Union can play a strengthening role, which we need very much for relations. The Customs Union and the Green Deal are interconnected. Progress in both the Green Deal and the modernization of the Customs Union will help business in Turkey and the EU.”

“Support for EU accession among Turkish companies is still 60%. More than 50 percent of the companies surveyed still believe Turkey will join the EU. Turkish businesses are strong supporters of the modernization of the Customs Union. 74% of companies support strengthening the announced cooperation between the EU and Turkey on the digital single market.”

- “Updating the Customs Union deepens relations”

EUROCHAMBRES President Luc Frieden said Turkey is a very important actor in the region and a trading partner with the EU.

Describing Turkey-EU relations as a “love affair” for those who want to move in the same direction, Frieden noted the impact of trade on dialogue. Frieden said updating the Customs Union would deepen relations, noting that high-level dialogues are needed and that the separation of the EU and Turkey is out of the question.