Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that there are significant possibilities for cooperation with France, Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the opportunities to collaborate in third countries.

- Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek

Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek accepted TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the France Chambers Union President André Marcon and his delegation.

In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As much as there is strife among politicians in the EU, there is a proportionate lack of it among businessmen. We stand ready to raise the wealth of our people and bring peace to our region and the world if the politicians open the way for us.”

Marcon, thanking Çiçek, stated that they wish to stay on best terms with Turkey, “You are a youthful country and the youth are building our future. Your country has a very important state of stability in regards to the economy. Your market is attractive and prosperous for French investors and at the same time, opens up to the Middle East.”

Çiçek, touching on the dark state of affairs between the two countries lately, said that the new presidential election in France affords new opportunities to mend ties, “This window of opportunity can’t last long, we must take hold of it; this is up to you. This is for the best of both countries and it will contribute to peace.”

- Visit to the Economy Minister Çağlayan

France Chambers Union President Marcon and TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu began their ministry visits with Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu celebrated Minister Çağlayan’s Eid and Republic holidays. Stating that Marcon has contributed to preventing the bills regarding Armenian allegations regarding the events of 1915 from passing in the senate in both 2006 and last year, Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Marcon for his support. Hisarcıklıoğlu also stated that there are significant cooperation opportunities between Turkey and France. André Marcon expressed his happiness for being in Turkey and stated that he hopes that the political affairs between the two countries won’t affect economies affairs.

Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan stated the importance of the strength of economic and trade relations between countries and how these carry over to political relations is important.

Stating that, as long as Turkey is not a member of the EU, the one standing to lose will be the EU, Çağlayan said that Turkey has become a country which shoulders the burden of the EU, not being a burden to it.

Çağlayan also drew attention to the matter of visas.

- Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati Yazıcı

The next stop for Hisarcıklıoğlu, Marcon and his delegation was the Minister of Customs and Commerce Hayati Yazıcı.

In his speech there, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Today, approximately 400 French companies are active in Turkey. There are actually great opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. However unfortunately we have been unable to take advantage of these due to the mistakes of past politicians. There are great opportunities for the two countries to collaborate together in third countries, especially in Africa. Hopefully we will further develop our activities in this field in the coming term.”

France Chambers Union President André Marcon stated that they view the matter of the Armenian allegations quiet seriously and that they wish to put a stop to troublemakers instigating chaos; as these kinds of issues can damage bilateral trade and that they will not allow this to happen.

Marcon thanked Minister Yazıcı for his contributions to the preparations of the new Turkish Trade Law and went on to say that there are many French companies operating in Turkey and that they re always working to further the relations between the two countries.

The Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati Yazıcı stated that preventing Turkey’s membership to the EU will not benefit the EU, France or the region in general.

Stating that the relation between the two countries is quite vibrant, Minister Yazıcı said that the trade volume between Turkey and France has totaled up to 9 billion dollars for the first 9 months of this year.

Stating that the first steps in the relations between Turkey and the EU had been laid with the Customs Union in 1996, Yazıcı said, “I am of the opinion that the denial of Turkey’s membership to the EU will not benefit the EU, France and, of course Turkey and the region.”

- Deputy Prime Minister Babacan

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan also met with France Chambers Union President Marcon and TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu in a meeting closed to the press.

Also attending the meeting was TOBB Board Member Harun Karacan.

- TOBB Union Center visit

The France Chambers Union President André Marcon and his delegation met with M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu at the TOBB Union Center for a business dinner. During the meeting, a presentation introducing TOBB was made.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu guided France Chambers of Commerce and Industry President André Marcon through the Union Center, following which Marcon signed the TOBB Memorial Ledger.
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