Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek confirmed on Thursday that Ankara wants to reconnect the country firmly with the European Union.
In a post on the X website, Simsek welcomed the report issued by the European Commission, yesterday, Wednesday, regarding “the state of political, economic and trade relations between the European Union and Turkey.”
He explained that the measures proposed by the Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, are encouraging and indicate positive developments, according to what Anadolu Agency reported.
The Turkish Minister stated that among the measures are the resumption of the high-level dialogue between the European Union and Turkey on the economy, energy and transport, the continuation of the Association Council meetings and the high-level political dialogue at the ministerial level, and the revival of talks on the draft negotiating framework to modernize the Customs Union.
These measures also include calling on the European Investment Bank to resume its activities in all sectors in Turkey, and to ease entry visa restrictions for Turkish businessmen, students, Turkish citizens and their family members in the European Union.
Minister Simsek stressed that Ankara and the European Union become stronger together, and said: We want to reconnect Turkey strongly with the European Union.
Regarding the Turkish economy, Simsek said earlier today, Thursday, that the data released today showed that the Turkish economy grew by 5.9% in the third quarter – a higher rate than expected – is encouraging, but this growth will slow in the coming period.
He added, “What is important here is to increase the quality of growth,” noting that directing resources to effective areas and increasing efficiency will be major drivers of growth, according to what Reuters reported.
Şimşek added that incoming capital flows are strengthening, and are expected to increase from the second half of 2024 onwards, indicating that there is interest in investment from the Gulf countries.
