IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu issued a statement following the European Council meeting of 10 December 2020, in which relations with Turkey were discussed. Evaluating the Council’s decision not to adopt the harsh sanctions stipulated by some Member States prior to the meeting as a positive development, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu indicated that this did not imply an end to the problems between Turkey and the EU. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu pointed out to the importance of operationalizing swiftly the dialogue and cooperation mechanisms for resolving the outstanding problems and advancing Turkey-EU relations. He made the following remarks:

“No harsh sanction decision came out of the European Council meeting held on 10 December 2020. The European Council gave directives to the Foreign Affairs Council to expand the list of restrictive measures consisting of officials participating in hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. In addition, it was stated that the positive agenda that was proposed on 1 October 2020 was still on the table and that the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey was in the EU's interest. It seems that the future of the relations and whether more comprehensive sanctions will be imposed will also be coordinated with the next US administration under Biden which will come to power in January 2021, and the issue will come to the agenda of the European Council again in March 2021. In this period, we need to work towards advancing the EU process through diplomatic initiatives and reform efforts. We should eliminate the possibility of the US and the EU imposing coordinated harsh sanctions. The EU is Turkey's largest export market. It is of utmost importance that we maintain and increase our share in the EU market, EU investments continue to flow to our country and that political tension is defused. In this period, convening an international conference to resolve the outstanding issues in the Eastern Mediterranean - an idea supported by both Turkey and the EU, could play a crucial role in overcoming tensions. Through its hydrocarbon exploration activities, Turkey has made it clear that no mechanism excluding Turkey will be sustainable in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the coming period, the resolution of the problems in the Eastern Mediterranean through diplomacy and multilateralism will reflect positively on the future of Turkey-EU relations.”

Indicating that there were numerous issues that needed to be discussed and negotiated between Turkey and the EU, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu referred to the modernisation of the Customs Union and visa liberalisation which are of particular interest to the business community. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu concluded his remarks as follows:

"The issue of sanctions is not new in the EU and Turkey relations. In fact, as early as 2006, the decision of the Council not to open eight chapters linked the Customs Union and not to provisionally close any chapters due to the Cyprus issue was also a sanction. More recently, sanctions came one after another in 2018 and 2019. In essence, not being able to launch the negotiations aimed at the modernisation of the Customs Union today is a sanction. Through the EU’s new generation free trade agreements (FTAs) many countries such as Vietnam are gaining concessions in the EU market. With the European Green Deal and the Digital Agenda, the EU is renewing its standards and practices in almost all sectors such as trade, industry, agriculture and transportation. Turkey also needs to take part in this process and ensure compliance. These issues could also be addressed in the Customs Union modernisation process, along with the resolution of problems such as FTAs and transportation quotas and the inclusion of agriculture and services sectors. Moreover, another important issue is  visa liberalisation. Turkey has taken important steps in this area. It has fulfilled 66 of 72 the benchmarks. Turkey should fulfil the remaining benchmarks and demonstrate its commitment to reforms. We share common values with the EU in the fields of judiciary, law, fundamental rights and freedoms. We also need to reflect these values in the reform process."