Turkey Says EU Trade Has Grown Elevenfold in 30 Years
Minister Bolat says trade reached $233 billion as Turkey and the EU make progress on parts of a Customs Union update.
Key takeaways
- Bolat said Turkey-EU trade reached $233 billion after growing elevenfold in 30 years.
- Turkey wants to be included in the EU’s “Made in EU” scope.
- Technical discussions have begun on public procurement, while formal update talks lack an EU mandate.
Turkey’s Trade Minister Bolat said trade with the European Union had grown elevenfold in 30 years, reaching $233 billion. During meetings in Brussels, he also discussed updating the Customs Union and rules affecting future investment.
Bolat said Turkey had urged EU counterparts to address restrictions in the proposed Industrial Acceleration Act, particularly those affecting the automotive industry and electric vehicles. He said many EU officials supported including Turkey in the “Made in EU” scope, while decisions remain ahead at the European Parliament and EU Council.
The main areas for modernizing the Customs Union include e-commerce, public procurement, investment and agricultural products, Bolat said. Turkey’s parliament passed a public procurement law in July, and analysis for a bilateral agreement has concluded. Technical discussions have started.
Bolat said Turkey was exempted from an EU measure introduced on July 1 that charges €3 per package. He said the EU coordinated with Turkey while preparing its digital trade rules.
Formal negotiations on updating the Customs Union have not begun because some member states have not supported the EU Council granting the Commission a mandate. Bolat said discussions with the Commission were proceeding on individual issues.
This article was produced with the help of AI technology. Based on reporting by the outlets listed above.
