IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu noted that economic recovery efforts were of critical importance for the business community in the current period when the pandemic was on the rise again. Stating that Turkey's export revenues were more important than ever, Zeytinoğlu drew attention to the need to maintain and advance Turkey’s place in the supply chains for the EU market, due to its primary position in Turkey’s exports. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu made the following remarks:

“We are going through a difficult period in which post-pandemic economic recovery is on the agenda all over the world. In such a period, especially Turkey's relations with the EU should be highlighted. Thanks to the Customs Union, Turkey has an important position in European supply chains. About 40% of our exports go to the EU. In addition to our export revenues, the EU has a very significant position in terms of foreign direct investment. Launching the modernisation of the Customs Union will allow further development of our economic and trade relations. In this way, it will be possible to develop the trade in goods and services, which are becoming more and more complex, to overcome the obstacles encountered in services sectors such as logistics, to adapt faster to EU’s FTAs and to increase agricultural trade. However, political obstacles and objections by some Member States still prevent the modernisation of the Customs Union. Turkey's increasing its share in EU supply chains and boosting its high value-added production in the coming period primarily depend on its success in green transformation and digitalisation. In addition, the EU's objective of diversifying its supply chains by moving production from China to closer geographies within the scope of its new trade strategy provides an advantage for Turkey. However, making the most of this advantage also depends on a well-functioning legal and an independent judiciary system, and the implementation of transparent and good governance principles. In this respect, President Erdoğan reiterating the EU as a strategic goal is very important. Revitalising political and economic reforms in line with this strategic goal will contribute to the development of economic relations and the modernisation of the Customs Union to come to the agenda.”