Delivering the opening speech at the French-Turkish Partnership: To be stronger in Europe and the World conference jointly organized by the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) and MEDEF in Paris and attended by Turkish President Abdullah Gül and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Parisot noted that Turkey is an important country in terms of its history, culture and trade potential. She defined Turkey as a key country which is a gateway for France to reach eastern countries with its economic potential. Turkish and French businessmen have significant reasons to improve bilateral relations, she stated.
Fillon also called for the enhancement of commercial and economic relations between the two countries. He said France was the second biggest foreign investor in Turkey with investments reaching $20 billion, adding that they aimed at increasing the trade volume between the two countries from $11 billion to $15 billion by 2012. Fillon said the two countries could cooperate in joint projects in Africa, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Also speaking at the meeting, Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, the head of TÜSİAD, said the European Union would increase its global power with Turkey. Referring to the ongoing global financial crisis, she remarked that the EU needs Turkey in order to expand its zone of influence in the world. Being a member of the EU will also be a boon for Turkey, helping it achieve a stronger economy and democracy, she added.
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), who also attended the meeting, said Turkey aims to improve trade relations with France along with Middle Eastern, Balkan and Caucasian countries. Turkey's goal is to become the 10th biggest economy in the world, he added.
