International Trade Law News

Published by Jacobson Burton Kelley PLLC

The following press release was issued by the Washington, DC office of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Turkey's leading business-related association, following the EU's annoucnement to commence accession negotiations with Turkey on October 3, 2005:

TUSIAD: "The EU Decision Reinforces Turkey's Transformation and Enhances EU's Global Role"

October 4, 2005, Washington, D.C. -- The European Union (EU)'s decision to start accession negotiations has brought Turkey one step closer to realizing Ataturk's vision of creating a modern, secular, and democratic nation. The EU's decision is also a historical milestone for its own evolution at a time when the Union has been experiencing its most difficult period since its establishment, as it struggles to find its internal political balances and secure desirable and sustainable socio-economic conditions.

The October 3, 2005 decision provides a more concrete institutional base for achieving three main pillars of TUSIAD's own mission: Attaining high living standards, securing democratic principles and sustaining a strong economy. TUSIAD will continue to contribute to the social transformation process in Turkey along the lines of the great visions put forward by its founding leaders Vehbi Koc, Nejat Eczacibasi and Sakip Sabanci.

In this line, TUSIAD will keep on conveying the views of the Turkish private sector through UNICE, which is an umbrella organization of European business confederations and federations. The acquis and the policies of the EU with which Turkey will comply, are in a continuous process of evolution and renewal. As the UNICE holds a very important role in the decision-making system of the EU, such a communication channel among the private sectors of Turkey and the EU remains a crucial platform in the negotiations stage for Turkey to address and adapt to these changes.

Turkey's success in the negotiations process will largely depend on the continuation and the deepening of its political and economic reforms. Achieving comprehensive public sector reform, maintaining a determined struggle against unregistered economy, committing to the implementation of democratic reforms, initiating those belated reforms in the spheres of agriculture, education and social security, developing a promising strategy to take a leading part within the global information society, and most important of all, keeping open the channels of social dialogue will undoubtedly strengthen Turkey's position in the negotiations.

At this stage, credit should be given to the successive Turkish governments since Turkey's full membership application to the EU in 1987 for their contributions to Turkey-EU relations. Notably, the current 59th government deserves praise for successfully concluding this phase in relations with the Negotiating Framework, thanks to its strong political will, commitment to reforms and reliance on effective diplomacy.