Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked André Marcon for his contributions to the development of economic and political relations between Turkey and France.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Marcon has been very effective in both during his time as Vice President and President of the France Chambers Union, in regards to the stance he adopted on the issue of the alleged Armenian genocide bill, in preventing Turkish French relations from deteriorating.

Stating that Marcon contributed greatly to his election as the Vice President of the European Chambers Union, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “For the first time in history, Eurochambres elected a non-EU state member as Vice President.”

- Economic potential must be increased

Drawing attention to the fact that France is the fifth largest economy in the world, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey and France are not making full use of their economic cooperation potential. A trade volume of 2 billion dollars reflects neither Turkey’s nor France’s potential. We aim to increase this. To this end, we are encouraging Turkish and French companies to produce projects together and cooperate with each other. This also needs to increase.”

Touching on the significant possibilities in third countries in addition to bilateral relations between the two countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey is opening up to Africa. There, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the possibility of doing business with French companies, as well as the Middle East and the Balkans. As the chambers unions of France and Turkey, we aim to develop our economic relations positively, which will reflect onto our political relations, and work together in third countries.”

- Turkish-French chamber to be established

Emphasizing that they wish to strengthen the cooperation between Turkish and French chambers, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “At the moment, Edirne and Lyon; Konya Chamber of Industry and Marseille chambers are working together on projects. We intend to increase the number of these cooperative efforts.”

The TOBB President said that they are working to increase the number of Turkish companies and their activities in France and stated they will use the German chamber as a model.

Hisarcıklıoğlu added that European and Turkish companies will develop joint projects in Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine and that the first steps have been taken in Egypt to this end.

- Marcon: It is clear that we need Turkey

Emphasizing that he is very pleased to be in Turkey, French Chambers Union President André Marcon praised TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu for the effort he has put towards Eurochambres.

“Rifat always puts forth new ideas. He puts a new perspective on projects and brings a dynamic quality to every effort. He was first met with sympathy at Eurochambers. After a while, he became an indispensable partner,” said Marcon and went on, “Like Rifat, Turkey is indispensable for Europe. It is clear today that we need to open up to the East. The primary country we should focus on is, undoubtedly, Turkey. Turkey, with its rate of growth and dynamism, is moving forward in the world. It is clear that we need Turkey. It is inconceivable why Europe would not make use of Turkey’s power.”

Marcon, touching on the development of Turkey-France economic relations, said, “We have the opportunity to engender cooperation in many fields. Steps are already being taken to this end. Education is an example to this. We will continue to support these efforts. We will continue our support as we have with maritime affairs. It was observed that the management of ports under the direction of chambers has been more beneficial to the country. Otherwise, logistics shift towards Belgium and the Netherlands.”

- “The dark clouds will disperse”

Drawing attention to the fact that the matter of the Armenian genocide is harming bilateral relations, France Unions Chamber President André Marcon said, “Businessmen strive to bring peace. That is what we are doing. We are of the opinion that the issue of the Armenian genocide should not be a matter for politics. That is what we have defended from the start. This matter should be left to the historians. We hope that the dark clouds which harm both the economic and the political relations between Turkey will soon disperse.”
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