Turkey demands part in EU, US free trade talks

Minister Zeybekci said more than 40 percent of Turkey´s total foreign trade was with the EU. AA Photo

Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci has warned Turkey may pull out of a customs agreement with the European Union if the bloc finalizes Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) talks without Ankara.

Zeybekci’s comments on June 25 came as the EU and U.S. continue to negotiate on ways to eliminate barriers to trade, including reducing tariffs on goods, differences in technical regulations, standards and approval procedures for goods and services, to make it easier to buy and sell goods and services between the two.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Johan Vande Lanotte and Karel De Gucht, the EU trade Commissioner from Belgium, Zeybekci said more than 40 percent of Turkey´s total foreign trade was with the EU.

He said the customs agreement between the EU and Turkey from 1995 was no longer relevant.

“Turkey is the only non-EU country that has a Customs Union Agreement that came into force on Dec. 31, 1995, and is far from responding to the needs of today. It was unacceptable in terms of unfair competition after the EU signed a free trade agreement with third countries,” he said.

“It is not something that is acceptable for Turkey. Turkey should be included in the scope of the new TTIP agreement.”

Zeybekci also said Turkey was in a disadvantageous position because of the 1995 agreement, claiming it has to lower customs duties for a third of EU countries, but does not benefit from those countries lowering their customs duties in return, as Turkey is not yet an EU member.

He said: “Algeria and Mexico can sell goods to Turkey without customs duties, but Turkish exporters cannot sell to these...

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