Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that he is the first Eurochambres Vice President to be elected from a non-EU state, thanked the French business community for their support to this end.

Stating that, “Turkey-France economic relations, although holding very high potential, are unfortunately are not at the level we would wish them to be at. Turkey is a country of opportunities. French companies should be taking advantage of this,” Hisarcıklıoğlu also emphasized the need for an increase in the number of Turkish entrepreneurs in France.

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that as part of a project to be implemented in the February of 2013 by TOBB and Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation using EU funding, European and Turkish companies will enter into cooperation with Egyptian, Tunisian and Palestinian companies.

- “History should be left to historians”

The French Chambers Union President André Marcon, stating that he believes history should be left to historians, said, “Turkey-France relations are so good that it would be unspeakable to disturb this with political issues.”

Stating that Turkey is a country which the French companies should pay attention to due to its young population, stability and organized structure, Marcon said, “French companies should be ready to do business with Turkey.”

Marcon, emphasizing that they put great importance on the work being done at the French Chamber of Commerce in İstanbul, stated that they wish to bring its status to that of the German Chamber of Commerce.

- The business world paid the price for mistakes

European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış stated that the price for mistakes of the old French administrators have had to be paid by French companies, and went on, “We hope that such an old ally of our like France will be able to take the share it deserves from the opportunities in Turkey.”

Stating that he will be heading to France on Monday to meet with the European Minister there, Bağış said, “We hope to revitalize our historical bonds of friendship, fraternity and cooperation with France.”

Reminding Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s view that trade relations are determining political and diplomatic relations in the world today, Bağış addressing Marcon, said, “Our relationship with France will improve to the extent that you engage with your counterparts in Turkey.”
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