Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee held its 33rd joint meeting in Swissôtel Grand Efes Izmir on the 19 and 20 June 2014. Together with members of the Committee, Stefano Manservisi who is the Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, EESC Foreign Affairs Director José Maria Zufiaur and representatives from the Ministry of European Union attended the meeting.

The opening speeches were made by the co-chairs of Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee Bendevi Palandöken and Cveto Stantic, TOBB President and Vice-President of Eurochambers M. Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey Stefano Manservisi and EESC Foreign Affairs Director José Maria Zufiaur.

After the session of the opening speeches, a panel on “the role of Ombudsman in the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law, the Perspective of Visa Liberalization for Turkish citizens and the General Strategy of the Mediterranean Region” was held. On the 2nd day of the meeting, a session tackling the “EU-USA Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership” took place. At the end of the meeting, a joint declaration was published.

Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TOBB President: “The security and peace of Europe can only be possible with the ‘enlargement process.’ ”

Pointing out that the economy of Europe has been affected by the global financial crisis Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that the European Union achieved to turn this situation into an opportunity by taking new initiatives to improve the economic and financial system. Stating that these initiatives were a positive development for the future of EU, Hisarcıklıoğlu nevertheless explained that the effects of the crisis have been felt by the European public opinion.  In this regard, he pointed out to the important political changes that have occurred in some EU Member States and to the rise of the “enlargement fatigue” in EU.

Stating that 5 million people have lost their jobs in since the global crises, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that in the same period more than 4 million people have been newly employed by the Turkish private sector.  Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that during these last four years, the economy of Turkey grows 6 percent every year despite the economic crisis in West and the diplomatic crisis in North and South.

In regard to Turkey’s EU accession process, Hisarcıklıoğlu finally stressed on the importance of working together to revivify the enlargement process. He further underline the importance of explaining to the citizens of EU and candidate countries the advantages of EU enlargement.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also tackled the problems encountered within the current way of functioning of the Customs Union and touched upon the conclusions of the report prepared by the World Bank in regards to Turkey-EU Customs Union. He shared also Turkey’s concerns if left out of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiated between Turkey and EU.

Co-chair of Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee Palandöken: “We have made important progress within the works carried out by the Joint Advisory Committee studies in this last period.”

Co-chair of Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee and Chairman of TESK (Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen) Palandöken emphasized that Turkey has made important progress to fulfil the criteria for its accession to EU.  He pointed out to the important gains obtained in the area of the democracy, economy and social life. Nevertheless he drew the attention to some political and economic problems encountered during this process such as the visa obligation, transport quota and free trade agreements.

Palandöken explained that the Committee represented the civil voice of both parties with the ultimate goal to carry Turkish democracy one step further as well as to complete the economic transition period and the accession process.”
 

Co-chair of Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee Cveto Stantic: “The reunification of Cyprus will be an important success for Turkey-EU relations.”

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Stantic ensured that important steps have been made in regards to the visa issue especially with the signature of the Readmission Agreement. Lastly he ensured that the latest initiatives taken to solve the Cyprus issue were also encouraging and would contribute in improving Turkey-EU relations.

Ambassador Manservisi, Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey: “Turkey and EU need each other more than ever.”

Manservisi said that the economic integration with EU is at its peak in Turkey. He also added that both Turkey and EU have to protect their common interest and their own interest. According to Manservisi, Turkey-EU Customs Union played an important role both in terms of economic development and reforms. The Customs Union has in a way granted certain institutions with more democracy and freedom. In this respect, he referred to the report prepared by the World Bank on the Customs Union and stated that it would be beneficial for both parties to widen the scope of the Customs Union to new areas such as the services and agriculture.  Pointing out to the problems encountered by Turkey with the free trade agreements signed by the EU with third countries, he further stated that Turkey had the right also to express its interests in regards to these free trade agreements.

Manservisi also mentioned the importance of opening the Chapter 19 within Turkey’s EU accession process and theparticipation of the unions in this process.  Referring to tragedy of Soma, Manservisi stressed the importance of adopting an effective legislation, strengthening the inspection of ILO standards and ensuring the participation of unions in economic process.

İKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas: “Turkey and EU should work together for the Readmission and visa liberalization process.”

İKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas gave a presentation on the “Visa Liberalization for Turkish Citizens”. In her presentation, she told that the first country within EU countries that had required visa from the Turkish citizens was Germany in 1980. By 2001, Turkish citizens were required to have a visa when entering into the Schengen Area. Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas gave detailed information on a project that was conducted by IKV in cooperation with TOBB and ECAS called as “Visa Hotline”.

She further added that Turkey had to fulfil the conditions in regard to the implementation of the Readmission Agreement, especially in relation to safety document, management of migration and border, public order and safety as well as fundamental rights. To fulfil all these conditions, she stressed that EU’s support was essential and she further stressed that the EU should treat fairly Turkey in regards to the visa liberalization and not to delay the process any longer.