Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Portugal Foreign Affairs Minister, Paulo Portas, during his state visit in Turkey, visited the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated the increase of the bilateral trade volume from 970 million Dollars in 2010 to exceeding 1 billion Dollars in 2011 was a gratifying development.

Stating that the diversification of present trade relations is needed in order to increase trade volume, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We can cooperate in third countries. Turkey is working closely with the rising economies to its east. We can be Portuguese companies’ gate to Asia. We can cooperate in the region.”

Reporting that over 50,000 Portuguese tourists have visited in 2011, the TOBB President said that they do not view tourism as just an economic activity, but they wish to develop tourism relations which bring the two peoples together.

Touching on the Cyprus issue, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Unfortunately, because of the European Union’s stance, the matter has become difficult to solve. During the referendum in the April of 2004, Turkish Cypriots said yes to a solution. Those who rejected the solution were the Greek Cypriots.”

- Turkey’s EU membership

Pointing out that Turkey’s EU accession process has come to a standstill, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey’s EU membership would be beneficial to both Turkey and the European Union. We are very concerned because the process has been halted for political reasons. The process must be revitalized. Your support in this matter is very important. We have the union of customs, goods are traveling through but because of the visa issue those who would carry and market the goods are unable to enter the countries.”

- Portas: We strongly desire Turkish companies to come and do business with us

Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Portas stated that they can do better and more together. Stating that they can cooperate in tourism, Portas said, “The effects of the crisis persist in 2012 but we will recover in 2013.”

Urging investors to trust in Portugal’s new business law, Minister Portas said, “The fields of social security, legislation and competition are undergoing reform. There are many privatizations occurring in Portugal this year, we strongly desire Turkish companies to come and do business with us. Turkey is a very important economic power. We can achieve more together.”

Emphasizing that they support Turkey’s EU membership, Portas said that the EU must accept Turkey’s full membership if it desires to be a global power.

- Turkey Investment Support Agency and Portugal Commerce and Investment Agency signed a memorandum of understanding

After the meeting, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas attended the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Turkey Investment Support Agency and Portugal Commerce and Investment Agency.

The memorandum of understanding signed by the Turkey Investment Support Agency President İlker Aycı and Portugal Commerce and Investment Agency (AICEP) President Pedro Reis was witnessed by TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas.

Afterwards, Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas signed TOBB’s journal.
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