Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his remarks regarding the meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, “At our meeting, which was attended by representatives of civil society and professional organizations, we assessed Türkiye-EU relations. One of the most important agenda items for Türkiye-EU relations is the modernization of the Customs Union. The current structure can no longer meet our needs. The problems encountered in Schengen visa processes are harming our economic and social relations. We expect visa procedures to be significantly streamlined. We are closely monitoring the ‘Made in Europe’ approach, which is increasingly gaining prominence in Europe,” he said.

Emphasizing that Türkiye is an integral part of Europe’s production and supply chains, Hisarcıklıoğlu added, “It is unthinkable to exclude Türkiye when planning the competitiveness of European industry. “I would like to thank our Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Aivo Orav, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee and Co-Chair of the Türkiye-EU Joint Consultative Committee, Ioannis Vardakastanis, and all representatives of civil society and professional organizations who contributed to the meeting,” he said.

- Morning Sessions

The opening remarks during the morning sessions of the committee meetings were delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the European Union (EU) Mission, Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay; Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Aivo Orav; and Ioannis Vardakastanis, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Co-Chair of the Türkiye-EU Joint Consultative Committee.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the European Union (EU) Mission, Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, noted that the committee has provided a unique platform for many years and emphasized that, in the face of challenges, engagement and renewed cooperation are more important than ever.

Stating that EU membership is a strategic goal for Türkiye, Bozay said, “Of course, we face significant regional and international challenges, and these have far-reaching consequences for our future and the future of our continent. In this sense, the EU and Türkiye must stand together. We appreciate the positive views of this committee in this rapidly changing environment and in this context.”

Bozay emphasized the importance of the Customs Union, visa-free travel, people-to-people contacts, and trade.

Önder Kahveci, a member of the Türkiye-EU Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) and President of Türkiye Kamu-Sen, also noted in his speech here that rising protectionism in the global trade system and the trust crisis in international relations are increasing uncertainty, stating, “These developments further underscore the importance of the strategic partnership between Türkiye and the EU. We need closer cooperation in many areas, ranging from security to energy security, and from supply chains to competitiveness. For this reason, we believe that accession negotiations must be revitalized and a concrete perspective must be brought to the accession process.”

Noting that the modernization of the Customs Union is one of the most important items on the agenda for Türkiye-EU relations, Kahveci said that the current structure does not meet the needs of the economies.

Kahveci stated that the problems encountered in Schengen visa procedures are damaging economic and social relations, and that the difficulties faced in this regard have become a serious obstacle to trade.

Expressing their expectation that visa procedures will be significantly streamlined for economic and social actors as well as professional organizations, Kahveci said, “The widespread issuance of long-term visas is our top priority. We would like to emphasize once again that our ultimate goal is visa-free travel,” he said.

Ambassador Aivo Orav, Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, noted that he was attending the meeting on behalf of the EU and highlighted the vital role played by the committee. 

Orav underscored that Türkiye is a key partner, a candidate country, and also a major regional actor for the EU, stating, “Over the past few years, relations between the EU and Türkiye have improved significantly. High-level dialogues have resumed. Political dialogues have deepened, and cooperation has further developed.”

Orav, stating that the EU is committed to supporting Türkiye’s civil society, said, “Our goal here is not only to provide support but also to strengthen dialogue and participation and to ensure the emergence of fully inclusive societies.” 

Ioannis Vardakastanis, a member of the EESC and Co-Chair of the Türkiye-EU Joint Consultative Committee, expressed his honor at attending the meeting, noting, “The international environment has now become much more complex and uncertain.”

Highlighting that dialogue between Türkiye and the EU is a necessity, Vardakastanis noted that the EU and Türkiye are important partners.

Pointing out that the economies of the EU and Türkiye are deeply intertwined, Vardakastanis said:

“At the same time, our societies are interconnected by millions of personal, cultural, and family ties. We cooperate in the commercial sphere. We cooperate on issues such as migration, energy, transportation, and regional stability. We share a common neighborhood, and of course, we face similar challenges that are not all that different. For all these reasons, dialogue remains absolutely essential.”