IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu assessed the European Council conclusions on Turkey-EU relations in a statement on 2 October 2020. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu indicated that the conclusions pointed to a significant shift in the EU’s approach towards Turkey which constituted an important opportunity to revitalise the relations. Stressing that the opportunity to put Turkey-EU relations back on track and advance Turkey’s growth and development process should not be missed, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated the following:

"The European Council convened on 1 October and adopted important conclusions on relations with Turkey. A two-stage approach has been envisaged for Turkey. It was acknowledged that a stable and secure environment in the eastern Mediterranean was in the EU's strategic interest and this should be based on the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. Given the previous conclusions of 2018 and 2019 imposing sanctions on Turkey, EU’s new approach promises hope. Turkey is an indispensable country for the EU. That’s why the EU is taking steps to initiate a positive agenda with Turkey. Nonetheless, the conclusions include a call for Turkey to stop the actions allegedly violating the sovereign rights of Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration. The European Council has agreed to launch a positive EU-Turkey political agenda which will include the modernisation of the Customs Union and trade facilitation, increasing people to people contacts, high level dialogue mechanisms and continued cooperation on migration. The President of the European Council, the President of the Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy are invited to develop a proposal to revive the EU-Turkey relations to this effect. From Turkey’s perspective, this is an opportunity with crucial importance which Turkey can take full advantage of by returning to the reform process.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stressed that the conclusions also highlighted support for resumption of the UN-sponsored Cyprus settlement talks and expressed the EU’s willingness to play an active role. Indicating that the conclusions included a call to resolve the issues concerning maritime jurisdiction areas through dialogue, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu underscored the resumption of dialogue between Turkey and Greece. Stressing that the topics covered by the proposed positive agenda are crucial for revitalising the relations, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu emphasized the business community’s full support for Customs Union modernisation and visa liberalisation and continued as follows:

"The modernisation of the Customs Union and increasing people to people contacts has been on the agenda of both the civil society and the Turkish business community. Moreover, European umbrella organisations such as EUROCHAMBRES, of which the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey is a member, have voiced support for these processes. As to the Customs Union, there are shortcomings and problems. The need for a simultaneous negotiation process for Turkey with the third country that the EU is willing to sign an FTA, the abolition of quotas and tolls at road transportation, ensuring Turkey’s participation in the EU's common trade policy as well as strengthening the dispute settlement mechanism are among the top issues which need to be resolved.

In addition, the modernisation of the Customs Union should include extending its scope, which is currently limited to industrial goods and processed agricultural products, to cover new sectors such as agriculture and services in order to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with the EU. Another important issue concerns the need to complete the visa liberalisation process since the visa requirement constitutes an important obstacle for Turkish citizens especially for business people and civil society representatives in their contacts with their European counterparts. Turkey had already completed 66 of the 72 benchmarks in identified in the roadmap. Completion of remaining 6 criteria will depend largely upon a green light from the EU as well as Turkey's political determination. The fulfilment of the remaining benchmarks and a strong signal from the EU could break new ground in the relations. It is a must to take rapid steps to make the positive agenda proposed by the EU operational.”