Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President and EUROCHAMBRES Vice-President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the EUROCHAMBRES 60^th Anniversary Ceremony in Brussels and spoke to the European business community.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, conveying his views on the European integration of the Turkish business world, congratulated EUROCAMBRES for knowing that European integration will also need the voice of the business world as progress is made. “We have always been the main forces of the integration process. We know that economic integration is a prerequisite for lasting peace, security and economic prosperity. In this context, we have brought the needs of the business world to the forefront and we have fought together for them. EUROCHAMBRES has become an indispensable element of the European integration process.”

- EUROCHAMBRES's responsibility for integration

Stating that EUROCHAMBRES has great responsibility for the future of European integration, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We must emphasize that European integration will be lacking as long as it does not cover the entire European continent. The situation in which we find ourselves makes this difficult. Take the Balkans and Turkey as an example. It is unclear how strategic relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, or a healthy relationship can be established with Russia.

Again, the process of secession of the UK will lead to political debate across Europe. As the business world, protecting the domestic market is of great importance for us. The EU is losing an important and valuable member like the UK. Political, economic and cultural relations with Britain should be kept as close as possible.”

- We need a trading system of global rules

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "We need to think about how to prevent other possible divisions in the future. We need rules for the business world to grow and internationalize. We have to pave the way for start-ups and provide appropriate conditions for businesses. We need common ground and a flexible atmosphere. This is a digital age. The future will not look at the factories you set up or the numbers you employ. It will be the data you gather, the points that you combine and the services you offer to collect which matter. It will connect people more and more. We need a trading system of global rules. We need to do this by reviving the World Trade Organization.”

Stating that the European Union should focus on global opportunities, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “One Generation One Way” initiative initiated by China has been neglected and that the visit of EUROCHAMBRES President Leitl to China in the near future is very important.

- Wakeup call from EUROCHAMBRES President Leitl

President of EUROCHAMBRES and President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl called on Europe to wake up, emphasizing that economic competition has progressed rapidly in other parts of the world.

Leitl stated that nationalism cannot answer fears of globalization, technological innovations and immigration. Europe can continue its success without dividing Europe and renewing its institutions with a clear target and strategy.

Emphasizing that 47 members and 1,700 local chambers and EUROCHAMBRES would make a contribution to the achievement of this goal, Leitl invited all Europe to make this a matter for the mind, not the heart.

The program also included parallel sessions on Trade and Investment, Migration and Entrepreneurship.

EUROCHAMBRES’ 60^th Anniversary was also attended by Nevşehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Arif Parmaksız, Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Chair Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce Chair Tuncay Yıldırım, Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Ayhan Kızıltan, Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Asilhan Arslan, Çorlu Ticaret and Chamber of Industry Chair İzzet Volkan and TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council Member Mine Ayhan.