The Turkish-Austrian Business Forum was held in Vienna with the participations of the President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gül, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and various businessmen from both countries.
In his speech, TOBB and DEİK President Hisarcıklıoğlu went on to draw attention to the fact that after President Fischer’s state visit to Turkey in 2008, Austria has been the top investor in Turkey in 2009 and 2010. He also noted that the guest of honor for the İzmir Fair this will be Austria.
-“Trade volume will increase even more”
Pointing out the fact that as successors to two great empires, the relationship between Turkey and Austria stretches back to the 17th century, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he believes the trade volume between the two countries, which exceeds 2 billion dollars today, will increase even more. Turkey, not only a trade partner but an important investment and industry country, stands as the largest economy between Italy and China.
Speaking of some of the difficulties Turkish businessmen face, Hisarcıklıoğlu identified the strict quota and visa processes that are imposed on Turkish trucks in the European Union.
Talking about the president of the Austrian Chamber of Trade, Christoph Leitl, Hisarcıklıoğlu referred to his investments in Kayseri and called him “a citizen of Kayseri”.
-President of The Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül
In his speech at the Turkish-Austrian Business Forum, President Abdullah Gül gave brief information about his meeting with the Austrian President Heinz Fischer the previous day and stated the importance of the EU membership process and the importance of abolishing political obstacles. Stating that it is a well known fact that the Austrian populace is no great supporter of Turkey’s EU membership, Gül went on to explain Turkey’s financial outlook, “The people of Austria need to see how much Turkey’s membership can benefit them. It is after this that everyone can weigh the benefits for themselves accurately.”
-“Many EU countries haven’t reached Turkey’s numbers”
Talking about Turkey’s membership in the Customs Union for the last 16 years and their confidence in the Turkish industry’s ability to compete with those of Europe’s strongest industries, Gül went on to say that “Get to know Turkey today and don’t miss the opportunities. Judge for yourselves whether you can trust a country, whether there is stability.”
Pointing out that with a ratio of 8.9%, Turkey is Europe’s fastest growing country in 2010, Gül expects a growth ratio of about 8% again this year. “If there is political stability, strengthening democracy and universal laws and free market economy are the bywords by which a country is run, then it is only natural there will be growth.”
Stating that Austrian businessmen can work by themselves as well as finding partnerships in Turkey, Gül drew attention to the companies that have proven themselves worldwide. Also pointing at possibilities of Turkish and Austrian businessmen forming partnerships to work in other countries, “The geography which Turkey is situated in is also exciting in regards to infrastructure. The regions around Turkey are rich in natural resources but lack the infrastructure to take advantage of these.”
-Energy Cooperation and the Nabucco Project
Pointing out the fact that energy has become a sector in itself, President Gül went on to say, “Turkey needs energy. We may lack natural gas and petroleum but is rich in possibilities in regards to alternative energy sources. We are among the successful countries in the world producing hydroelectricity and we are working in cooperation with Austrian firms.”
Gül also touched on the importance of Turkey concerning pipelines, stating, “Europe has no better way of reaching its alternative sources of energy than Turkey. Nabucco Project is one such, with access to a large amount of resources. The Baku-Tiflis-Ceyhan pipeline incited much controversy in its time but the 1800 km. pipeline was brought into reality by Turkey and allowed us to market not only Caucasian but also Central Asian petroleum to the world as well. Doubts about the Nabucco Project are in my opinion meaningless. There are resources not only in the Caucasus but also in the south.”
-Austrian President Heinz Fischer
Speaking at the opening of the Austrai-Turkey Economic Forum, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, touched on bilateral relations and referring to the years of Nazi regime during 1938-1945, “I like to remember that in the dark days of my childhood, Austrian artists and scientists would seek asylum in Turkey to start anew in peace.”
Talking about Turkey-EU relations and the membership process, Fischer reminded that the decision to start negotiations for Turkey’s membership was taken by a unanimous vote, but that guessing the outcome at this point would be impossible.
Stating that Austrian investors have taken part in important projects in Turkey with success, president Fischer invited Turkish businessmen to engage in further relations in Austria with gusto.
