Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that if the EU and Turkish companies cooperate, they could be much more successful in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and other markets.

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated the need for revision of the Customs Union in order to address the adverse impacts of the FTAs signed by the EU on the Turkish economy and as well as the need for a solution to the visa problems for the Turkish business community.

European Union (EU) Minister and Chief Negotiator Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that the EU is reticent in opening energy chapters with Turkey despite its efforts to reduce its energy dependence on Russia as a result of the Ukraine crisis.

Çavuşoğlu emphasized the determination of the government for reforms and expressed their expectation for the EU to open new chapters for negotiation.

EUROCHAMBRES Secretary General Arnaldo Abruzzini stated that the Turkey-EU relations are founded on strong and deep economic integration, stressing the need for the modernization of the Customs Union.

According to the EU-Turkey Chamber Union’s survey, 75% of Turkish establishments support EU membership, 51% expect membership within 10 years. 28% of Turkish companies do not expect membership to occur at all.

European companies are more optimistic in regards to Turkey’s membership. According to the survey only 8% of European companies do not expect Turkey’s membership to occur at all while 55% expect it within 10 years.

These surveys were conducted as a part of the European Union - Turkey Chamber Forum (ETCF-II) Project’s second phase. The project has been running for 3 years conducted by the ETCF, TOBB and EUROCHAMBRES.