Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The 31st Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee (KİK) Meeting was hosted by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu with the attendances of the EU Minister Egemen Bağış and the Europe Economy and Social Committee President Staffan Nilsson at the TOBB Union Center.

In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they facilitate the business of Turkish and European Union (EU) countries in Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine, “Over 300 companies have applied to join.”

Speaking at the meeting Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey’s EU membership is important for the acceptance of the values which the EU is built on throughout the continent and for Europe’s efforts to be united as a continent.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, criticizing the lack of high level participation to the KİK meeting by the EU institutions, said, “The participation level of the EU institutions in our works is unsatisfactory.”

Stating that Turkey’s EU process must be sped, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need to take advantage of the optimistic mood brought on by good news.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, as TOBB, the European Commission Turkey Delegation and the Economy Ministry, they facilitate the business of Turkish and European Union (EU) countries in Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine, said, “Our project has drawn the attention of EU and Turkish business communities. Over 300 companies have made applications to join.”

Stating that there is a need for such projects in order to work together, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need for such projects as civil society dialogue and student exchange.

Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that while doing these things, both sides must win over the hearts of the people, “A student who earns the right to participate in the Erasmus Program should not risk rejection because of they encounter a visa problem. Businessmen should not face problems when participating in fairs in EU member countries. This problem with visas is unbecoming of the integration we aim to build. Neither does it suit the legislative nature of the relation we want.”

- “What needs to be not done in regards to the Euro crisis is the EU seceding”

Expressing that the EU membership process is a driving force for the modernization of the political, social and economic facets of Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they believe the process needs to be revitalized again with the aim of full membership just like it was at the start.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that Turkey moving in concert with the EU is to the EU’s advantage and went on: “Recently, New York Times journalist Tom Fridman was my guest. He told me during our meeting ‘If I were to invest in Europe, I would buy Turkey Bonds without hesitation,’ I won’t tell you the country which he would not buy bonds from.

The EU is constructing a new economic and monetary policy along with financial policy. The decisions which allow our neighbor, Greece, to overcome the debt crisis give us hope for the future of the Euro zone. I believe that the EU will overcome the debt crisis it now finds itself in. I was in the USA at the start of the week. I had meetings in the IMF and met with the ATAA President. The determination of the EU leaders to keep Greece inside the Euro zone, engendered hope in them just as it did in us. Likewise, the steps taken to improve the governance structure of economic and monetary unity are considered very important.”

Stating that what must absolutely not happen to overcome the crisis by the EU is that it secedes Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the expansion process should be seen as an opportunity as the European Commission Suggests and stated that the contributions of the expansion process to EU economies should not be disregarded under populist approaches.

- “The massacre in Syria is well on its way to becoming a second Bosnia”

Stating that the developments taking place in the EU’s south and southeastern neighbors show that the EU must act stronger in its foreign policy too, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“The EU needs to become more aware of its soft power and bring it to the fore. The process of transformation in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya needs to be supported. Likewise, the tragedy playing out in Syria should no longer be viewed at a distance. Over 100,000 refugees have crossed over into Turkey. The same is true for Iraq and Jordan. The massacre in Syria is well on its way to becoming a second Bosnia. It must be stopped. Those who remain spectators this may win the elections in their country tomorrow but they will not be seen in a good light in the future. This process of transformation in our region puts more responsibilities on the EU in foreign affairs. Turkey-EU accession process should not be blocked. We cannot hide our heads in the ground and run from responsibility.

- Other speakers

Following President Hisarcıklıoğlu’s speech, EU Minister Egemen Bağış and the Europe Economy and Social Committee President Staffan Nilsson as well as the Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee Co-Presidents Mustafa Kumlu and Arno Metzler spoke on recent and contemporary issues affecting Turkey, the EU and the accession process as well as the situation in the region.
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