Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

After the meeting of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Türk-İş, TESK, TİSK, TZOB, Hak-İş, Turkey Kamu-Sen and İKV Presidents with the Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement Stefan Füle, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu held a press conference.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the meeting had been very productive and mutually enlightening, “On April 22nd 2011, about 70 Non-Governmental Organizations came together and related our concerns about the EU accession process to the public. In today’s meeting, in addition to reiterating our call, we drew attention to the need for speeding up of the process. We continue to show support for Turkey’s reforms in this process. At the same time we emphasized the need for EU to honor their commitments to Turkey in speeding up the process.”

- Work on preparing the new Constitution

Stating that they had briefed Stefan Füle on the Constitution Platform’s work on preparing a new constitution since 2007, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they had reiterated the call for the facilitation of visa processes for Turkish citizens visiting European countries.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that problems arising from free trade agreements and carriage quotas were among the subjects reported to Füle.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, answering a question, said that Füle had also provided information on the work he has conducted. Hisarcıklıoğlu said that, without going into technical detail, they had discussed the general principle understanding of the work.

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Stefan Füle’s approach to Turkey’s EU accession process was not negative. Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that Stefan Füle’s duty was to further the process. TOBB President said, “The first person to approach the new government after the elections being from the EU Commission is a message.”
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