BUSINESS COMMUNITY CALLS FOR “ACTION FROM DIALOGUE” ON TÜRKIYE-EU RELATIONS

The Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) Türkiye- Europe Business Councils emphasized the need for long-awaited structural steps in Türkiye-EU relations in an open letter addressed to European Union leaders. The text, bearing the joint signatures of the heads of business councils in 26 EU countries, is not merely a diplomatic message; it is a strategic position paper aimed at deepening economic integration. The publication of the letter as an advertisement in the Financial Times, a decisive medium in the global economic and political agenda, carries symbolic importance in terms of directly conveying the call to the international public.

UPDATING ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

DEİK President Nail Olpak stated at a press conference that the current Customs Union framework no longer meets today’s economic realities. The fact that the system, which has been in force since 1996, does not cover areas such as services, agriculture, and public procurement, and does not include topics such as the digital economy, green transformation, and sustainability, is considered a structural deficiency from the business world’s perspective. Olpak stated that Europe’s goals of strategic autonomy, supply chain security, and competitiveness, when considered alongside Türkiye’s production capacity and geographical location, necessitate stronger economic integration. In this context, the modernization of the Customs Union is seen not only as a technical update but also as a move that will strengthen Europe’s global economic position.

COMPETITIVENESS AND GEOPOLITICAL DIMENSION

DEİK Coordinating Chair of the Türkiye-Europe Business Councils Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ emphasized that Türkiye is not only a commercial partner for Europe but also a complementary element of its production and security architecture. According to Yalçındağ, Türkiye’s young population, industrial infrastructure, and regional access capacity hold strategic value in terms of the energy, supply chain, and security risks facing Europe.

This approach redefines Türkiye-EU relations beyond normative discussions, shifting the perspective to one of “mutual gain.” Business representatives note that strengthening the membership perspective is critical for both the investment environment and longterm economic predictability.

CONCRETE AGENDA ITEMS

The letter highlights topics such as facilitating visa processes, coordinating the adaptation process to the EU’s Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism, and ensuring coordination in the field of digital trade. Carbon regulation, in particular, is noteworthy as an element that could have a direct cost impact on Türkiye’s export composition. For this reason, the business community is calling for the regulatory framework to be shaped through mutual consultation and for Türkiye to be positioned closer to the decision-making processes. This approach indicates that economic integration should be addressed not only in terms of trade volume but also in terms of regulatory compliance and value chain integration.

THE SEARCH FOR A NEW PHASE

At the core of the message lies the need to redefine relations between Türkiye and the European Union. Global trends such as rising protectionism, energy transition, and technological competition are pushing the parties toward more coordinated and long-term cooperation. The Turkish business community’s call goes beyond accelerating the diplomatic process, arguing that economic integration must be redesigned in line with today’s geo-economic realities. This perspective has the potential to open the door to a new phase in Türkiye-EU relations.