ISTANBUL IS A VERY IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE IN THE EU NEGOTIATIONS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that Istanbul as a trademark was the most important trump card of Turkey in the EU negotiations and he said: “A Europe without Istanbul and the European Union not comprising Istanbul will be weak and poor.” 

In his speech in the “World Franchise Summit”, Bagis said that Istanbul hosted more international events each day and that Istanbul was one of the most important trademarks of Turkey. Bagis declared: “in the EU negotiations, Istanbul is our most important advantage as a trademark and as a trump card. During the negotiations I always say to the Europeans that a Europe without Istanbul and the European Union not comprising Istanbul would be weak and poor.”

Bagis recalled the words of the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan: ''In history, political relations among the countries used to determine the economic relations among them. However, in today’s world, economic relations determine the political relations.” and Bagis added:

''Some countries think that they can manage some countries and provide opportunities to them through implementing economic boycotts. However, we try to explain that economic boycotts have never been really fruitful but economic integrations have brought success. If you are the owner of a trademark in a country and if that trademark has branches, this means that you have an impression, sanction power in that country.''

Bagis said: “when the position Turkey achieved today in terms of franchising is considered, it is seen that this region cannot be considered without Turkey” and he added: ''Western countries pay attention to our young population, economic growth, future vision and they try to learn something from Turkey and try to acquire a franchise of Turkey. On the other hand, eastern countries pay attention to our ability in enabling the successful co-existence of democracy and Islamic culture, and the success with regard to human rights, freedom of expression, and the free market economy, achieved in the recent years. They also exert efforts to acquire the franchise of Turkey''.

Source: AA