Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey Dr. Mehmet Muş visited TOBB-IKV Brussels Representation in the context of his visit to Brussels on 14-15 June 2021. After a presentation delivered by TOBB and IKV Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray, Minister Muş and his delegation held exchanges. Founded in 1984, the TOBB-IKV Brussels Representation is the very first representative office of the Turkish business community in Brussels. In the context of his visit to Brussels ahead of the European Council meeting scheduled for 24-25 June 2021, Minister Muş held meetings with Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis and European Commissioner for Economy with Paolo Gentiloni. Stating that the modernisation of the Turkey-EU Customs Union and the “positive agenda” were the topics mainly emphasized during the talks, Dr. Muş made the following remarks at a press conference held at the Permanent Representation of Turkey to the EU:

“We conducted fruitful meetings on Turkey-EU economic and trade relations and the positive agenda between Turkey and the EU with the two most important figures in the EU who are in charge of the economy and trade. In that summit apart from the other concerns, the future of the economic relations of Turkey with the EU will be discussed in detail. Hereby, in these contacts we held before the 24-25 June Summit, we observed that there is an agreement on the importance of strategic cooperation with the EU and our country and the creation of a positive agenda in Turkey-EU relations is in interests of both sides. In our talks, I could express that on the EU side, there exists a strong dedication on developing the economic relations with our country. The ongoing process towards the modernization of the Customs Union will not only develop the economic and commercial relations between Turkey and EU but it will also present economic benefits for both sides while moving into a new chapter in our relations. In terms of diversifying and strengthening the global supply and value chains, Turkey is the most important partner of the EU with its production and export capacity, dynamic economy, and strategic location. A stronger Turkey-EU integration creates crucial opportunities for strengthening the supply chains in our region and increasing their competitiveness. In that sense, we have expressed our concerns and expectations about the growing gap between our country and the EU’s Free Trade Agreements and also, the ongoing problems in the Customs Union due Turkey not being present the EU decision-making processes. In the coming period, we agree with our counterparts that the structural and commercial problems faced by both sides should be addressed through closer cooperation and dialogue”.