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Former German President Christian Wulff said the world needs Türkiye “more than Türkiye needs the world,” urging Germany and Türkiye to use their economic potential more effectively.
Speaking at the German-Turkish Business Council board meeting at the Rahmi M. Koc Museum in Istanbul, Wulff said Germany remains Türkiye’s most important trade partner and that both countries have major opportunities for cooperation.
Wulff said the meeting aimed to identify cooperation opportunities and make better use of existing potential between the two countries.
“The world needs Türkiye more than Türkiye needs the world,” Wulff said. “We shake hands with Turks. We shake hands with Türkiye, and Germany’s image in Türkiye is still extremely good.”
He said Türkiye benefits from several advantages, including shifting supply chains.
“We see the supply chain shifting from the Strait of Hormuz toward Mediterranean ports,” Wulff said, adding that Türkiye’s geopolitical and strategic advantage lies there.
He also cited relatively lower labor costs, saying Germany wants to benefit from these opportunities.
Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) President Nail Olpak said uncertainty is currently the world’s most prominent issue.
Referring to the Future of Türkiye-Germany Cooperation report, Olpak said bilateral economic cooperation could rise from €60 billion ($70.19 billion) to €125 billion in the medium term and reach €250 billion in the next decade and beyond.
Olpak said climate, energy, zero-carbon policies, innovation and competitiveness were among key areas discussed.
He added that the definition of competitiveness has changed, saying competition now includes “trust” alongside price, quality, service and design.
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Olpak said Germany is Europe’s largest producer and collector of textile waste.
“We are evaluating how we can integrate this process in Türkiye together with the private sector,” he said.
He added that increasing mutual investments was another major priority.
Olpak also said health care services stood out as an area of cooperation, noting that rising prosperity also increases health spending.
DEIK Türkiye-Germany Business Council President Mehmet Ali Yalcindag highlighted Germany’s strategic importance for both Türkiye and the European Union.
Yalcindag said the aim was to bring the Turkish and German business communities closer, accelerate integration and consolidate German business focus on both countries.
He said wars, energy crises, changing tariffs and fragile supply chains have made predictability more difficult for businesses.
Stronger cooperation with nearby and reliable regions is no longer a preference but a necessity, he said, adding that the business world’s ultimate goal for a common and prosperous future should be Türkiye’s full membership in the European Union.
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