Türkiye and EU Engage Talks on Trade and Visa Issues

Bolat highlighted several flaws in the Customs Union, emphasizing the increasing inequalities between the parties’ Free Trade Agreement networks, land quotas, and cumbersome visa procedures that hinder business representatives from fully benefiting from the union.

He pointed out that the current transit quotas lead to longer and more costly deliveries of Turkish products, which should be able to circulate freely within the Customs Union.

Addressing the visa issue, Minister Bolat noted that the situation affects not only Turkish products but also products produced by EU companies in Turkey. He explained that the bottlenecks in visa procedures disrupt the activities of the Turkish business community and create significant uncertainties for multinational business models in Europe.

Bolat called for a reevaluation of these policies to ensure smoother operations and better economic integration between Türkiye and the EU. He stressed the importance of addressing these issues to enhance the benefits of the Customs Union for all parties involved, promoting a more equitable and efficient trading system.