Türkiye, EU to hold high-level economic dialogue after 6 years
File photo shows the flags of Türkiye and the European Union displayed side by side. (AA Photo)
Türkiye and the European Union (EU) are set to resume high-level economic dialogue meetings after a six-year hiatus, EU officials announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee session, Marta Kos, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, confirmed plans for the meeting. “We appreciate what Türkiye has done in assisting refugees,” said Kos, recalling the EU’s decision last year to enhance dialogue with Türkiye.
“We are planning to establish a high-level economic dialogue with Türkiye in March or April,” Kos stated.
Previous dialogue held in 2019
The last Türkiye-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue Meeting took place on Feb. 28, 2019, in Istanbul.
Since then, discussions have been paused amid evolving political and economic dynamics between the two parties.
Renewed engagement in Türkiye-EU
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently visited Türkiye on Dec. 17 as part of her second-term diplomatic engagements, meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Türkiye’s membership will be a historic step toward ensuring stability, prosperity, and peace for the region and the world. It is time for the E.U. to demonstrate vision and inclusivity,” President Erdogan said after the meeting.
“Our relationship is rich and multifaceted, and we are committed to advancing it further,” von der Leyen said and added: “The European Investment Bank is set to re-engage with Türkiye, providing critical support for economic development and modernization.”
Following their discussions, which centered on developments in Syria, von der Leyen emphasized positive messages regarding economic cooperation in a joint press briefing.
Türkiye pushes EU for lifting transport quotas in trade talks
Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, recently highlighted Ankara’s ongoing efforts to address EU transit quotas during a speech at the Transportation Corridors and Transit Transportation in the Turkish Century held at TOBB Twin Towers.
“We account for 3% of the global logistics export market, ranking 11th worldwide,” Bolat said.
“Services and logistics are very important sectors. We have a 3 percent share of logistics exports in the world, and we rank 11th in the world in this sense. This is a great success. Our paradise homeland is where all the corridors in the world meet. As Türkiye, we are in a key position where every project has to pass through,” he added.
“We convey our demand for transit quota liberalization and the removal of quotas in every meeting with the EU. They respond by saying, ‘This issue falls under the scope of transportation and is outside the Customs Union. Therefore, it should be addressed bilaterally with member states. As the European Commission, we provide positive recommendations to member states.’ Thus, we persistently continue this dialogue and negotiation process,” he stated.
