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Türkiye is an integral part of the European Union's security system and economic integration between Ankara and Brussels is essential, Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Orhan Turan said Friday.
"Türkiye is an integral part of the EU security system. E.U.-Türkiye economic integration is essential," Turan said during the TUSIAD High Advisory Council meeting.
Turan said the business community is closely following global transformation processes through visits to key regions and working to advance Türkiye's interests on the international stage.
Turan noted that uncertainty and transformation have been the most-used words worldwide this year, with the global economy gradually slowing.
"The IMF's global growth forecast for 2026 is 3.1%, which is well below the 2000-2019 average of 3.7%," Turan said.
"The globalization process and the rapid expansion period of the world economy had facilitated high growth rates for developing countries. But due to a slowing world economy and uncertainties in international trade routes, we are entering a period where countries should not base their growth strategy solely on exports," he added.
Turan said fragmentation in the global financial system and a move toward a multipolar structure are possible, similar to developments in the geopolitical system.
"We don't know what direction the protectionist trends that marked 2025 will take," Turan said, adding that, "Even if we don't know the basic parameters of the next global economic order, we know that the rules of growth, trade and governance will be rewritten."
Turan said TUSIAD has conducted intensive contacts with investors, entrepreneurs, R&D centers, academia, business organizations, bureaucracy and political representatives from various countries over the past two months, with a visit to London planned for next week.
"In our European contacts, we emphasized that Türkiye's inclusion in the competitiveness-focused practices that will emerge in the new period is of critical importance for both the E.U.'s and Türkiye's common productivity and supply chain security," Turan said.
"In Brussels, we explained Türkiye's rightful positions to the parliament and commission. In France, we discussed the priorities of Türkiye-France economic relations within the E.U. axis and cooperation opportunities with third countries," he added.
TUSIAD High Advisory Council Chairman Omer Aras said Türkiye can play an important role in Europe's new defense structure through its defense industry investments and production.
"Türkiye can play an important role in Europe's new defense architecture with its defense industry investments and production," Aras said.
"Additionally, Turkish and European companies can compete much more effectively with global players by cooperating on reconstruction projects in third countries and regions such as Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and Africa," he noted.
Aras noted that the E.U. has been undergoing a quiet but profound transformation in recent years, directly affecting Türkiye.
"Türkiye is not only at the periphery of Europe in terms of energy security but at the very center in terms of migration and regional stability," Aras said.
Aras said the Türkiye-E.U. relationship is at the threshold of a new era.
"In this new era, the issue is not just 'Will Türkiye join the E.U.?' but where Türkiye will stand in Europe's future. We will provide the answer," Aras said.
"In a transforming world, the E.U. and Türkiye can only increase their competitiveness by moving forward together and become a force that will shape the future with common values and priorities such as law, equality and environment," he added.
Aras emphasized that the global economy is evolving toward a "regionalized globalization" model.
"This transformation creates a great challenge for Türkiye as a regional power, but also a historic opportunity," Aras said, noting that, "If we produce the right policies and take the right steps, both economically and politically, we can make the best use of this opportunity."
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