IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan participated to a panel entitled “Internal and External Economic Relations in the new Turkey” on the 21th January 2015 organised by the Bursa Representation of the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD).

Before the conference, IKV Chairman was interviewed by the Anatolian Agency. During his interview, IKV Chairman Vardan gave detailed information on IKV’s activities carried out in regards to EU affairs and more specifically to the visa issues. He stressed that the current visa system continues to constitute an obstacle for Turkish citizens seeking to travel to EU countries. He also underlined that it would not be tolerable to make the visa acquisition even more difficult within the framework of the fight against terrorism.

Vardan also spoke about the ongoing crises and problems in the neighbourhood region mainly in Ukraine and the Middle East. In this respect, he stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between both parties. Nevertheless, he added that it would be wrong from EU officials to expect Turkey to be a part of EU sanctions against Russia following the Ukraine crisis. In regard to Turkey’s EU accession process, IKV Chairman Vardan ensured that Turkey is working hard in order to meet the requirements to fulfil the accession talks.

Following his interview with the Anatolian Agency, IKV Chairman took floor on the panel where he drew the attention to positive developments in Turkey’s economy and its performance in exports. Furthermore, he pointed out that while EU economies are having difficulties in tackling their current stagnation, it is of great importance for Turkey to pursue its 3 percent GDP growth. IKV Chairman Vardan also explained that in order to achieve Turkey’s 2023 objectives, it is essential to continue to support economic growth, to increase in exports, to diversify Turkish products and to give more importance to innovation and high-tech goods. He further stressed that in order to ensure a democratic development model; it is of utmost importance to pursue Turkey’s objective of joining the EU.

At the panel, MUSIAD’s former Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat emphasized during his speech also on the importance of Turkey’s economic performance at a time when EU is still struggling with the impacts of economic and financial crisis since 2008.

Later, MUSIAD Bursa Representative Chairman Hasan Çepni confirmed that Turkey has been showing for the past 12 years a good economic performance that has been acknowledged by Western countries. Thanks to a model based on an increase in exports and on high value goods, Çepni said that the Turkish economy would continue to grow significantly and Turkey would become one of the leading economies in the world.