“Roundtable on The Future of Turkey-EU Business Relations” TEPAV welcomed the President of Eurochambres, Mr. Luc Frieden.

ANKARA - To discuss the future of Turkey-EU Business Relations and challenges in the light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, green transformation and the current Russia-Ukraine War, a meeting organized on March 10, 2022, between 9:30-10:30 at TEPAV.  The roundtable was moderated by TEPAV Director of the Center for EU Studies Nilgün Arısan Eralp and Union of European Chambers good flow of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) President Luc Frieden attended the conference as a keynote speaker along with distinguished participants from ministries, diplomacy, academy, and business circles.

The meeting began with welcoming remarks by the Director of EU Studies Center at TEPAV, Nilgün Arısan Eralp. Emphasizing the fact that EU and Turkey had been long time trade partners, Mrs. Arısan Eralp underlined Turkey’s strategic position in EU trade and gave the floor to Mr. Frieden.

Mr. Frieden began his speech mentioning that EU-Turkey relationship is actually a very deep one but not without conflicts. Still, he emphasized that Turkey a has great potential to be a regional power especially in the medium and long run. Mr. Frieden also stated that in the green and digital transformation process of the EU,  Turkey can play   a great role as a partner.  Regarding the Customs Union between Turkey and EU, he underlined that political and technical discussions go hand in hand and an adaptation of the Customs Union to the changing circumstances should be taken into consideration.

After Mr. Frieden’s remarks, the floor was opened to questions and comments from the respected guests.