Turkish Business Group Calls for EU Accession Reset
Turkish Business Group Calls for EU Accession Reset
The Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) has intensified its efforts to revive Türkiye’s European Union membership process, calling on both Ankara and European capitals to rebuild momentum toward full accession.
The organization says current relations between Türkiye and the European Union require a strategic reset, with a renewed focus on long-term integration and cooperation.
Public diplomacy campaign across Europe
DEİK has launched a public diplomacy campaign aimed at increasing public support for EU membership in Türkiye. According to the organization, support has declined to around 50 percent, and the goal is to raise it to between 75 and 80 percent by the end of the year.
The campaign began with a full-page advertisement in the Financial Times in January, followed by open letters and newspaper advertisements in several European countries, including Germany, Poland, and Belgium.
Further outreach activities are expected in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and France.
Calls for a “paradigm shift”
DEİK President Nail Olpak stated that EU membership has gradually moved away from the top of Türkiye’s political agenda and argued that a fundamental shift is needed in relations with the bloc.
“This is not only a step in favor of our country but also one that will help solve Europe’s current problems. Keeping the full membership perspective alive is an indispensable strategic necessity for Europe’s geopolitical future.”
Deep economic ties between Türkiye and the EU
Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, Chair of DEİK Türkiye–Europe Business Councils Coordination, emphasized that economic relations between Türkiye and the European Union go far beyond trade and are deeply integrated.
He noted that approximately 59 percent of Türkiye’s foreign direct investment stock, equivalent to 122.3 billion US dollars in 2024, originates from European Union countries.
Yalçındağ also highlighted that Turkish industry has become a key production base for European brands, particularly in the automotive sector.
He added that Türkiye should aim for full European Union membership by 2027, and that issues such as visa liberalization and modernization of the Customs Union should be addressed within this broader objective.
Regional cooperation outlook
DEİK officials also noted that commercial relations between Türkiye and Armenia are gradually developing. They added that the establishment of a Türkiye–Armenia Business Council could be considered in the coming period.
