Turkish business leaders urge EU to revive membership talks, modernize Customs Union

Turkish business leaders have issued an open letter to top European Union officials urging a strategic revival of Türkiye’s EU membership negotiations and an overhaul of the outdated Customs Union agreement. The letter, organized by the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and signed by the heads of business councils from all 26 EU member states, was published in the Financial Times on Saturday and addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Call for Strategic Clarity and Integration

DEIK President Nail Olpak stated that despite long delays, Türkiye remains committed to integration with Europe, emphasizing that the current agenda extends beyond updating the Customs Union to becoming part of the European ecosystem. He highlighted challenges such as visa restrictions, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the impact of EU free trade agreements with third countries like India and Mercosur nations, which disadvantage Turkish exports.

Türkiye as an Indispensable Partner

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, Coordinating Chair of DEIK’s Türkiye-Europe Business Councils, described Türkiye as an essential economic and strategic partner for the EU, noting it is the EU’s fifth-largest trading partner and a critical link in European supply chains. He stressed Türkiye’s role in Europe’s green and digital transitions, food security, defense industry cooperation, and energy corridors, calling for a “strategic and visionary approach” from Brussels.

Letter’s Key Points and Next Steps

The open letter criticized the “unproductive methodology” stalling Türkiye’s accession and called for a “clear and unambiguous perspective” on membership to restore mutual confidence. The signatories warned that if no constructive response is received, follow-up letters will be sent in the coming months, with a high-level meeting scheduled in Brussels on October 13 to advance dialogue.