| WILLY DE COOK | Director / Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region (Foreign Trade Department) |
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WE LOVE TURKEY VERY MUCH, WE HAVE VERY STRONG RELATIONS. |
I have visited Turkey many times, so I know Turkey very well. Undoubtedly, I enjoy travelling in Turkey very much like many Belgian tourist. Because Turkey is one of the first countries Belgians prefer when they want to go abroad.
Turkey has many advantages. The greatest advantage of Turkey is the nice relationships it has established, I have visited Turkey like many Belgians many times. In addition, I make visits as a professional both in federal period and regional period. We have conducted economic missions to get in touch with businessman in the hard times of Turkey. For example, I came to Turkey with delegates in order to provide financial support to Turkey during the period of earthquake and to make it possible for the Turkish companies to find partner in their projects.
In my opinion, Turkey is one of the most well-known countries together with the Middle Europe countries I do business. Actually, Turkey is one of the most privileged countries. Its greatest advantage is its strategical position.
This strategical position is a privileged situation at the center of the commercial relations that the roads overlap. It should be noted that Istanbul was located on the route of Silk Road in the past. I have visited Kazakhstan, Uzbekstan and Azerbaijan. I have found that these countries, even Turkmenistan, have cultural connections with Turkey. And now these countries are trying to prove themselves to the eastern countries, so I try to direct the companies to operate in Turkey and in these countries I have mentioned.
When it comes to Istanbul, Istanbul will always be privileged for us. We will always pay special attention to Istanbul because it is the commercial center of Turkey. Ankara is also important for us for different reasons.
We have negotiated with Sabih AKAY, our Brussels Capital Commercial Attache in Istanbul that we should be sensitive to find other growing commercial centers in the country.
Therefore we can say that there is some work to do for the Belgian businessmen in these cities. We can introduce these cities. As you know, there is a very strong Turkish community in Belgium. It should not be underestimated. I mean our relationships are very strong. The visits of Belgian tourists to Turkey is an indication of a growing interest in Turkey. In my opinion, Turkey is on the way to be one of the greatest partners of the future. At this point, our Commercial Attache has a vital role. Relations should be established between the Turkish companies and the companies under our structure for common projects. These projects should also be carried out in the markets of the countries I have mentioned above.
As I said before we are the mediators, our duty is to gather people together. Finding new companies and introducing them in this market is our greatest mission. Our mission is to always put further targets, to look for new sectors. For example, I have introduced the environment sector in the seminar held in Istanbul Chamber of Commerce in December.
There are so many things to do in this respect, because Belgium is very experienced in this sector, especially processing of wastes, purification of water.
As far as I understood Turkey has realized that it should pay attention to this problem. What we can do at this point is to make use of financial opportunities through Euopean and international funds.
When it comes to the relation between EU and Turkey it is beyond the scope of my authority. The only thing I can say that the negotiations are going on and I wish the negotions comes to a positive conclusion. I can’t stand in any position about this issue. Because my duty is to establish relationship between Turkish and Belgian companies.
Belgian businessmen are convinced about the position of Turkey. They have realized the importance of Turkey in commercial relations. I wish everything goes on through working and ends up with bigger projects.
What I appreciate most in Turkish people is that they are friendly and merry. You can easily be friend with a Turkish people. I think that Turkish people are intimate in their relationships. When I evaluate Turkey professionally, I can say that I have met Turkish companies which uses state-of-the-art devices, well-organized and expert in their fields. When we take into consideration that I visit Istanbul regularly, I want to mention that the development in the city makes me so happy. I am aware of a very rapid and interesting change.
The last thing I want to add is that Turkey is a country that Belgium appreciates very much. We love Turkey very much. We have very strong relationships. Belgians are open to and interested in different cultures. I hope we continue to live together and work under better conditions for more years.