Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Turkish – French Business Forum, took place in İstanbul hosted by TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. Attending the Forum were Turkish President Abdullah Gül and French President François Hollande as well as many ministers and businessmen from both countries.

Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the long history of relations between the two countries. Stating that increasing trade volume is an important indicator of cooperation, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that despite the global crisis, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries still stands at 14.5 billion USD; Turkish investments in France totaling up to 1.5 billion USD and French investments in Turkey reaching 7 billion USD.

“We have been tasked with a new goal by our Presidents: Increasing our trade to 20 billion Euros.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have begun work to this end with Business Council Sani Şener, Jean Lemierre, the leading counterpart from Medef and the President of the French Chambers Union, André Marcon. I would like to thank my friend André Marcon once again for his close affinity to the Turkish business community.”

“We can achieve this goal. There are very many sectors in which both countries are quite successful in. We can improve our bilateral relations in conjunction with these sectors. We can work together in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa regions in which Turkish companies have extensive experience in conducting business. However we need our political leaders to remove the obstacles stopping us from going forward. Turkish citizens and businessmen are, contrary to the spirit of the Customs Union, are subject to visa procedures while visiting European countries.”

Stating that the segregationist mentality is to the detriment of everyone involved, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that trade relations between the two countries have deteriorated. However, “President Hollande’s visit is a historical opportunity,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu.

- The EU process

Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his belief that France, which embraces the values of freedom, equality and fellowship, will: “Act free from captivity to matters better left to historians; act in fairness equal to the previous applicants; and in the spirit of fellowship as befits the history of friendship between our two countries.”

- President Abdullah Gül

President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gül gave a speech during the closing ceremony of the Turkish - French Business Forum, titled “Building the Future Together”, held at the İstanbul Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel, in which he stated that it will be quite easy to achieve the bilateral trade volume goal they’ve set for themselves once the obstacles to trade have been abolished.

Gül said, “We have a trade volume of 40 billion USD with Russia. Why should it be unrealistic to consider we can do the same with our ally?”

In regards to the matter of EU membership, Gül said, “I ask the businessmen here, would it please you more to be doing business in a country wherein the regulations and procedures of the EU were in effect, or would you rather do business in one which was not subject to such order? Hence, I will once again issue the call.”

Gül stated that the state visit of French President Hollande and the businessmen accompanying him would be successfully completed and that they would, “Reap the fruits of it together.”

- French President Hollande

French President François Hollande stated that Turkey was not the only country beset by visa problems; however, he reported that he had given the necessary orders to the Foreign Affairs Ministry to address the issue.

President Hollande stated that his visit should be seen not as the first state visit by a French President in 22 years, but as the opening of a new page in international relations, a new era in politics.

He went on to say, “We are in agreement with President Gül: We want the bilateral trade volume between our countries to reach 20 billion Euros. That is our goal. This will require the involvement of all companies.”

Hollande stated that in order to enable companies to contribute economic reforms need to be enacted, procedures need to be simplified and social dialogue must be undertaken as well as creating a viable environment attractive for investments.

Stating their desire for the continuation of Turkey’s European Union membership process, Hollande went on to say, “You can be sure that France will not hold back her support for you,” and said that there can be no political power without economic power and that the time to open a new page for the two countries.

- Other speakers and seminars

Prior to and at the same time as the closing of the Turkish – French Business Forum, three other seminars were held on urban development, infrastructure and healthcare sector projects; industry cooperation and energy projects as well as agriculture and food products fields.

Also addressing attendees were Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekçi during the urban development, infrastructure and healthcare sector projects seminar; the French Foreign Affairs Minister Nicole Bricq during the Turkish – French Business Forum; the Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız, the French Industry and Development Minister Arnaud Montebourg and the French Environment, Sustainable Development and Energy Minister Philippe Martin during the industry cooperation and energy projects seminar; the French Agriculture, Food and Livestock Minister Stephane Le Foll and Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry Undersecretary Vedat Mirmahmutoğulları during the Food and Agriculture Panel.

- Turkish – French Business Forum cooperation agreements signed

During the Turkish – French Business Forum,agreements between Eutelsat Communications and Türksat as well as Koç University and the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi were signed.

The agreements, witnessed by both Presidents and the businessmen present, were viewed as the first steps in achieving the set goal of 20 billion Euro bilateral trade volume between the two countries.