Highlights from the Turkish business world's letter to Europe: The risk of a new wall

A meeting titled "Turkey-EU: Open Letter to EU Leaders from Dialogue to Action Press Meeting" was held in Istanbul regarding the letter, which will also be published in the Financial Times today, and the process itself.

Speaking at the meeting, DEİK President Nail Olpak stated that the entire DEİK family supports this initiative and mentioned the delays experienced regarding EU membership and the updating of the Customs Union.

According to CNBCE's report, Olpak stated that despite all the negatives, Turkey and the EU are in a close relationship, adding that today's agenda is not just about updating the Customs Union, but that they want to be part of the European ecosystem.

Noting that they are currently going through a process characterized by global unpredictability, Olpak continued his remarks as follows:

"When we look at this process, what are we experiencing specifically in Europe? Let's start from the Customs Union. We are talking about the difficulties. We need an update, meaning an update in the processes from public procurement to agriculture at the point where digitalization has reached today. We have already discussed visa issues and quotas with you.

But subsequently, other issues have come to the agenda. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is a new wall. It started with certain sectors, but immediately after, 18 more new sectors began to be pointed out. Now, there is nothing officially stated regarding quotas for steel, but serious reduction processes are on the agenda."

Nail Olpak, referring to the 'Made in Europe' approach, said, "When we talk to our European friends, they say, 'Oh, that's actually aimed at the Asia-Pacific,' but when you look inside, it doesn't happen in the way we fear. There is a risk that Turkey will remain outside that circle and a new wall will appear in front of us."

Stating that the free trade agreements the EU has signed with other countries outside of the Customs Union also affect them, Olpak mentioned the potential impacts of the agreements the EU has signed with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) countries and India.

DEİK President Olpak, mentioning their recent contacts with the EU, continued his remarks as follows:

"When we talk, many European countries, with the exception of one or two, agree with us on what we are explaining. But I suppose we also need to clearly present the arguments that support them. We will not stop with just today's meeting or our announcement. We will continue our contacts and work, including the Brussels meeting we held two or three months ago, to keep knocking on those doors in different parts of Europe."

Olpak mentioned the effects of the customs tariffs the US imposes on Europe and its sanctions against Russia on Turkey, stating that they need to be more proactive for this reason.

"AS THE BUSINESS WORLD, WE ARE NOT WAITING"

In response to a question, Nail Olpak stated that in their meetings with ambassadors of EU member countries, all but two or three countries said they support Turkey, and used the following expressions:

"Will much happen if we cannot resolve Cyprus? I am not sure either. But could this reach a breaking point, will someone put their finger on it despite everything? Perhaps we need to develop a strategy based on this. That is the locking point. There is a Cyprus they talk about. And then there are one or two items they talk about regarding democratization. I evaluate this as a mutual political bargaining process. But just because they exist, we as the business world are not waiting."

"WE SENT A LETTER TO EU LEADERS AND THOSE WHO GOVERN EUROPE"

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, Coordinator President of the DEİK Turkey-Europe Business Councils, also said that the Turkey-Europe Business Councils consist of a total of 37 countries, 26 of which are EU countries.

Stating that the world needs a new Europe, Yalçındağ said, "Let us build this new Europe together. This is a global competitiveness necessity for both sides."

Noting that as the Turkey-Europe Business Councils, they have prepared and sent a letter to EU leaders and those who govern Europe, Yalçındağ said, "Our letter will be published openly in the Financial Times tomorrow and will reach large audiences, especially in Europe. With this letter, we clearly demonstrate the business world's support for Turkey's full membership, the potential in joint projects, and areas of concrete cooperation."

Emphasizing that the relationship between Turkey and the EU is not just a diplomatic topic, but also means economic integration, joint production, and mutual interdependence, Yalçındağ explained that the EU is Turkey's largest trading partner, and Turkey is the EU's fifth-largest trading partner.

"TURKEY IS AN INDISPENSABLE PARTNER"

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ stated that geopolitics no longer affects only diplomacy but directly the business world, and that artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are reshaping economies from top to bottom, continuing his remarks as follows:

"In such an environment, it has become not a choice but a clear necessity for Europe to strengthen its strategic integrity and move towards deeper integration with its immediate surroundings. Precisely at this point, Turkey stands out as an indispensable partner for the global challenges Europe faces.

With its dynamic economy, young and entrepreneurial population, strong industrial infrastructure, progress in the defense industry, energy and logistics corridors, agricultural potential, and digital competencies, Turkey offers concrete contributions to Europe's green transition, digitalization, food security, and strategic resilience."

Underlining that Turkey is an inseparable part of European value chains in industry, Yalçındağ reported that it provides production power in many sectors from automotive to machinery, textiles to electronics.

Mentioning Turkey's importance in terms of renewable energy, agriculture and food security, the defense industry, and logistics, Yalçındağ said that they have the second-largest army in NATO and have built significant capacity in the defense industry over the last 15 years.

Noting that defense industry breakthroughs for the security of the European continent can only be realized quickly and qualitatively through partnerships established with Turkey, Yalçındağ pointed to the importance Turkey possesses in terms of energy corridors.

"AN INSEPARABLE PART OF EUROPE'S FUTURE"

DEİK Turkey-Europe Business Councils Coordinator President Yalçındağ explained that uncertainty does not produce trust, delays investment decisions, and weakens strategic opportunities, making the following statements:

"Therefore, our call to EU officials is clear: Turkey is an inseparable part of Europe's future. Practical models that will provide concrete progress in economy, technology, security, energy, and social areas must be put into effect rapidly. As representatives of the Turkey-Europe business world, we will continue to convey this message to our European counterparts with determination. We are focusing our attention on Turkey's European integration process so that 2026 becomes a year where rhetoric turns into action. Our expectation from the European Union is very clear: A strategic and visionary approach and acting without delay."

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ stated that the world needs a new Europe and said, "Let us build this new Europe together. To put it differently, Europe needs Turkey. Turkey needs Europe. The world needs such a Europe. We do not believe that Europe can establish economic and strategic autonomy by excluding Turkey. It is essential that the EU and the leaders of influential member countries get rid of the strategic blindness that excludes Turkey as soon as possible and see the benefits that Turkey's full membership will bring."

In response to a journalist's question about which topics or areas they prioritize, Yalçındağ stated that Europe needs to write a new story and rediscover its power, giving the following answer:

"If you write this story together with Turkey, the world wants to see the new Europe in a story written together with Turkey. Europe also needs to position itself in this way. We can truly add serious value to European values. When we become an EU member, we add 100 million to the 500 million population, and we become 600 million.

We add 1.5 trillion dollars to the 18.5 trillion dollar economy, and we become a 20 trillion dollar economy. After that, whether it's India or North America, we see those as details. Let us have a visa problem; those are now details of the business."

Stating that if relations are not terminated despite long-standing unresolved problems between two countries, there is a need for that relationship, Yalçındağ said, "So what should be done about the problems? They should be put in the closet. They should be cooled in the closet and a relationship should be restarted."

"WE WANT TO GET RESULTS"

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ gave the following answer to the question about how long the process will continue:

"We want to get results from this business this year. We will hold a meeting in Brussels on October 13. We want to make very serious progress at this meeting. We will all leave our work and business aside and spend our time on this. When you put in the effort and contribute, you will get results. We say 'today' for this business. We think it is time now. That is why this year is very valuable."

In response to a question about how much support the government has given them in this process, Yalçındağ said that although it was seriously on Turkey's agenda in past years, it did not receive the desired response for EU membership, and this created disappointment in the public.

Pointing to why they are taking action again on this issue, Yalçındağ said, "Everything has its time. We think the time for this is now."

"EUROPE NO LONGER HAS THE LUXURY OF SETTING CONDITIONS"

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ stated that if the current situation continues, Europe could fall into a difficult situation in 5-10 years, and said, "(Regarding the remark 'This discourse is heading towards a definition that picks up a sick structure and lifts it by the hand') Exactly. We are not the ones making the 'sick man' definition anyway. Many writers in the Financial Times newspaper have written the 'sick man' definition, and you have written it too."

In response to a journalist's question, "We ask officials in Brussels about Turkey's EU membership, and they say, 'Turkey still has not met some of the criteria required to be a member.' Do you also have expectations from Ankara to revive the process?", Yalçındağ gave the following answer:

"There is no such thing anymore. There is no such luxury left in Europe; the train has left the station. This is now a necessity. Turkey already knows what to do. Turkey has now become a 1.5 trillion dollar economy. Those who govern Turkey also know what is needed. That train has left. Europe needs us more today than we need Europe.

In the past, we needed it much more; now we need it, but they need us more. Messages are being conveyed from many countries right now, saying, 'Let's handle it with you first, and the rest will follow.' Those days have passed. Look, I am not a politician; as a business person, my patience has run out."

Stating that if they do not receive a positive response to this letter, they will send a second letter in three months and a third letter in the last quarter of the year, Yalçındağ said, "I assume that Europe is governed by smart people. I mean, to reject something very clear and obvious, to stand against it, not to see this incoming wave, such a thing cannot be."