Erdem, the Chairman of TABA, said : “A Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and The United States is the way to increase the mutual trade volume and stimulate our exports”.
Zeynel Abidin ERDEM, the Chairman of TABA emphasized that cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense should be enhanced through a free trade agreement and also added that “The means to further increase mutual trade volume and especially to stimulate our exports is the sign of a Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the United States.”
At what point trade and economics relations between Turkey and the United States currently stand?
Turkish – American relations which maintained on the axis of defense cooperation for long years began to be considered within the framework of “enriched partnership” concept beginning from the early 90’s and developed as “strategical partnership” during recent years...
Viewpoint of the US government regarding Turkey began to shift following disintegration of the Soviet Union and economic dimensions set out to prevail. In 1995, the United States government announced Turkey as one of the 10 largest ermeging markets. Despite positive attitude of the US government, both anti-Turkish actions of the Congress under the influence of various lobbies and our image in the United States, moreover, many other issues and expectations such as intellectual property rights and international arbitration act caused economic collaboration remain limited. September 11 attacks reaffirmed the importance of Turkey not only with its geopolitical location and but also as a model for islamic countries from the point of its relations. In this direction, our increasingly developing political relations should also reflect to the economic platform. Only removal of quota restrictions employed in textile and ready-made confection products can ensure significant increase in Turkish exports to the United States in the short term.. Such a request is the right of Turkey. Because, the United States do not employ quantity restrictions on European origin textile and ready-made confection products. The issues regarding constitution of a Customs Union zone with the EU came to the agenda in “Economic Partnership Commission” assembly held in Ankara, on February 26-27, 2002.
It is a fact that considerable improvements are being experienced in mutual relations since the US visit of Mr. Ecevit, Turkish Prime Minister, and also “Economic Partnership Commission” assembly plays an important role in this process. Business Council supports considers the issue of establishing a QIZ, qualified industrial zone, in Turkey which has been settled in economic partnership commission meetings as an important footstep on the way to a free trade agreement between the US and Turkey. As of the end of year 2001, foreign capital invested by the total of 375 US firms which carry out operations in Turkey accounts for 11.86 % of total foreign capital. From the standpoint of permits granted, the United States rank fourth after France, the Netherlands and Germany, respectively. The United States plan on to achieve the first rank in this classification. Increase in Turkish investments in the United States should also be encouraged. Thus, influence of Turkish community on the US Congress will increase, lobby activities will develop and Turkey will achieve more sanction power.