Following British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Turkey, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu commented on the United Kingdom’s process of withdrawing from the EU.

First of all, Zeytinoğlu gave further clarity to the process known as Brexit:

“The British people had chosen its preference for withdrawal from EU membership in a referendum held on 23 June 2016 with 51.9%. It is important to remind that the UK Supreme Court stipulated that the referendum result in itself is not sufficient and necessitates the approval of the Parliament. We are awaiting for this decision to be confirmed in the Parliament and thus for Britain to tender its formal request for withdrawal from EU membership to the EU authorities in March. Following this formal request, the UK and the EU will start negotiations on an agreement which would determine the conditions for withdrawal from EU membership. Two issues will have to be further clarified during these negotiations:

- First of all, the conditions with respect to the UK’s process of withdrawing from EU membership and how the process will be pursued, the withdrawal of the UK from EU institutions and the budget, the identification of issues such as the ending of the primacy and applicability of EU law in the UK;
- Secondly, the opening to negotiations of a new agreement which would organise relations between the two parties following the conclusion of the Brexit process”.

“Britain, when leaving the EU, will also have to withdraw from over 60 trade agreements”

IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu noted that whilst the process of withdrawing from the EU of the UK would have convulsive effects for the EU and could be perceived for it as a threat, it also actually holds some opportunities. Furthermore, Zeytinoğlu added that the UK is conducting half of its trade in goods and services with EU countries and that it would thus hold critical importance for the UK to accomplish a new comprehensive agreement with the EU:

“The decision taken by the UK to withdraw from EU membership would help her achieve an independent policy with respect to external trade but it would still need to negotiate for new agreements to be signed with respect to its position regarding over 60 agreements concluded between the EU and other countries or trade blocs. In other words, Britain will be liberated from its obligations under EU membership but it will also be deprived of its advantages in that respect. Undoubtedly, losing a member like Britain will have challenging effects for the EU. However, I do not think it would lead to the dissolution of the EU. The advantages of being included in the EU internal market will prevent other countries from leaving. The Brexit process will be complex. I do believe that as it will include more prejudices rather than benefits, it would constitute a negative example for other Member States to follow.

“The situations of Turkey and Britain are different. One cannot be a model for the other”

Lastly, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu tackled the Brexit process from Turkey’s perspective and in contrast to some views expressed by the public opinion, he emphasised that Brexit would not constitute a viable model for Turkey:

“The Brexit process is being followed closely in Turkey and some are asking the question whether it could constitute a model for our country. If we look closer to the British government’s approach, we can see that they are looking favourably to the conclusion of a new, deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU following the conclusion of the Brexit process. In other words, the objective would be to operate an independent policy from the EU on external trade but also include a model encompassing the free movement of goods and services with the EU. Nonetheless, one should stress that Turkey has a functional Customs Union with the EU currently and the modernisation process of the Customs Union with the opening of formal negotiations is on the agenda this year. The process of modernisation of the Customs Union would also necessitate Turkey to further comply with EU norms and standards and with provisions included within the framework of the EU Acquis. In other words, whilst Britain is negotiating for its withdrawal from the EU, we as Turkey are aiming to bring our integration with the EU to a more advanced level. It is of utmost importance to stress that our full membership objective still constitutes for us the conclusion of this process. We do hope that the objective of full membership along with closer integration with the EU would trigger further political and economic reforms within Turkey. Taking a look at this greater picture, one can see that Brexit does not constitute a model for Turkey with respect to our current relations with the EU and our full membership objective”.

Ayhan ZEYTİNOĞLU
IKV Chairman