Turkey-EU Customs Union update to be a plus for both sides: Zeybekci

An updated Customs Union agreement between Turkey and the EU would benefit both sides, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said on April 25.        

"The Customs Union right now contains only industrial products. When the Customs Union is extended to include food, agriculture, electronics, and public procurements, it will put Turkey in a position to provide net contributions to the total growth of the European Union," Zeybekci told a Turkish Day event in Dublin, hosted by Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) and Enterprise Ireland.        

He also stressed that both sides agree on extending the deal's scope, including Turkey in the EU's Customs Union decision-making mechanisms and making Turkey automatically a party in free trade agreements that the EU signs with third countries.

Zeybekci said the European authorities are expected to make a decision on these points by June and the update could be completed by early 2018. 

Pointing to the need to boost economic and trade ties between Turkey and Ireland, Zeybekci also signaled that an Irish Day could be held in Turkey this fall. 

Speaking at the same event, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charles Flanagan said Ireland "can understand" the traumatic effect of last year's coup attempt against Turkey's democracy. He also added that he admired the way Turkey had created a "modern, lively economy."