Message on visa liberalization to the EU from Minister of Industry and Technology Kacır

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır made a statement following his meetings in Brussels with EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, and Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton.

Stating that he held meetings with three EU Commissioners in Brussels today, Kacır noted that they discussed the programs in which Turkey collaborates with the EU in the fields of R&D and innovation with Commissioner for Research and Innovation Ivanova.

Kacır said, "Turkey is currently playing a very important role as a stakeholder in the Horizon Europe program. Turkey's research and innovation ecosystem has already achieved success in Horizon Europe that goes beyond the Horizon 2020 program. In 3 years, our Turkish researchers, companies, and entrepreneurs have achieved results close to what they achieved in 7 years under Horizon 2020."

Pointing out that the R&D investments Turkey has made, especially in the last 20 years, have had an impact on this success, Kacır continued his words as follows:

"Turkey has built a tremendous research and innovation ecosystem. We have built a massive innovation and R&D ecosystem with nearly 10 thousand companies in our more than 100 technoparks, over 1,600 R&D and design centers, more than 200 universities, 23 research universities, and startups located in nearly 3 thousand technoparks. This ecosystem has now become a leader in many research and development projects in EU programs. It will be very valuable for us to be present more strongly in these programs in the coming period and to develop EU-Turkey relations from this perspective."

HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE MEETING TO BE HELD BETWEEN THE EU AND TURKEY

Minister Kacır stated that they plan to hold the next meeting of the high-level dialogue mechanism with Ivanova in Turkey in the near future, saying, "We will have held this meeting in Turkey in the coming months."

Explaining that they will bring together ecosystem stakeholders to strengthen Turkey-EU cooperation, especially in high-tech fields, at the upcoming meeting, Kacır said, "In the coming period, we will continue to take steps that will ensure Turkey becomes a shining technology country of Europe; a country of research, development, and innovation."

Mentioning that he also held a meeting with Commissioner for Enlargement Varhelyi, Kacır said, "We have an EU Summit ahead of us. The work that Varhelyi is carrying out together with (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep) Borrell will make significant contributions to Turkey's EU membership process, especially at this summit. I hope that we are approaching a very good point on this issue."

"THE VALUE ADDED BY TURKEY IS BEING FELT"

Minister of Industry and Technology Kacır noted that the EU is increasingly realizing and feeling the value that Turkey adds to Europe and the EU more strongly every day, and made the following statements:

"Although Turkey is not yet an EU member, it is a natural member of Europe and is actually a part of the European family. We take on a very important role and responsibility in European value chains. Today, Turkish companies play very critical roles in the production processes of many products. We are Europe's production base in some areas. Turkey is the largest production country in Europe in fields such as iron, steel, flat glass, and solar panels. Similarly, in fields such as white goods and cement, and in many areas, Turkey plays a very critical role in the value chain."

Reminding that there is currently a total annual foreign trade of nearly 200 billion dollars between Turkey and the EU, Kacır said, "We are realizing nearly 100 billion dollars of our exports to the EU, and our exports to Europe account for 41 percent of our total exports. The EU is important to us, but we are also very important to the EU."

TURKEY OFFICIALLY JOINED THE DIGITAL EUROPE PROGRAM

Stating that he expects EU-Turkey relations to progress in a more positive perspective regarding Turkey's membership in the future, Minister Kacır explained that he held his third meeting at the EU Commission with Commissioner for Internal Market Breton.

Reminding that Breton's area of responsibility also includes directing Digital Europe Programs, Kacır said, "He has an important responsibility and role in the realization of the 7.5 billion euro Digital Europe program. We had announced that we joined the Digital Europe Program in recent months. We have delivered the official document regarding this to Breton in person today."

Noting that they discussed with Breton the work that Turkey can carry out together with the EU in critical technologies, Kacır said, "I invited him to Turkey. I offered to visit the high-tech infrastructures in Turkey together. I hope he will visit our country in the coming months, and we will work together to take Turkey-EU relations to further points within the scope of EU programs, especially the Digital Europe Program."

TURKEY IS AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF THE EU VALUE CHAIN

Minister of Industry and Technology Kacır said, "All these efforts are actually accelerating thanks to the realization of the value Turkey adds to Europe in the current conjuncture. Turkey has achieved tremendous effectiveness in critical technology fields. With its human resources, technological infrastructure, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and industrial production capabilities, Turkey is an indispensable part of the EU value chain."

Pointing out that he also discussed the Customs Union renewal process and the visa liberalization process with EU Commissioner Varhelyi, Kacır assessed, "We expect a positive perspective to emerge on these two issues, especially at the EU Summit next month. The Customs Union revision will benefit both Turkey and the EU. Turkey is currently creating value in Europe's supply chains through the Customs Union. But we need to be able to realize this, especially in innovative areas and digital services."

Calling on the EU for the Customs Union and visa liberalization, Kacır said:

"Just as we talk about the free movement of goods, we must also make possible the free movement of the vehicles carrying these goods and the people who use these vehicles. We must ensure that Turkey takes an active role in the decision-making processes regarding the Customs Union. We need to take important steps in the Customs Union in the coming period to cover all digital areas. The EU is ultimately competing with other regions and countries in these areas, and Turkey is already adding significant strength to the EU in this competition with the role it plays in the EU value chain. The Customs Union revision will bring gains to both Turkey and the EU in this sense."

Touching upon the issue of visa liberalization, Kacır concluded his words by saying, "Visa liberalization is now an important expectation of our nation. Turkey should be met with a fairer approach on this issue. We expect this from our stakeholders in the EU as well."

News Source: AA