Boğaziçi University - TÜSİAD Foreign Policy Forum, discussed the new european architecture after the Euro Crisis

Boğaziçi University-TÜSİAD Foreign Policy Forum organized a conference titled “The New European Architecture after the Euro Crisis and the Possible Roles of Germany” on October 16th, 2012, at the South Campus Rectorate Conference Hall of Boğaziçi University.

Opening speeches of the conference were delivered by Prof Dr. Gülay Barbarosoğlu, President of the Boğaziçi University, Ms. Ümit Boyner, President of the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD, and Prof. Dr. Hakan Yılmaz, Director of Boğaziçi University-TÜSİAD Foreign Policy Forum.

Mr. Cem Özdemir Co-Chairperson of the Alliance ’90 / The Greens from Germany was the keynote speaker of the conference. Prof. Dr. Kemal Kirişçi from the Boğaziçi University, Department of Political Science and International Relations and Mr. Volkan Vural, Member of the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD and President of TUSIAD’s Platform of International Politics delivered their speeches.

Ms. Boyner indicated that the Eurozone debt problem is as much a political issue as an economic one, and spoke as follows:

“Economic developments show that Europe needs a deepened political union and more effective governance. It also needs to reform its economic culture and adopt a more innovative, flexible and efficient system. Euro zone crisis, the necessity to reduce the disparities enhancing from the previous enlargement period, the lack of demographic dynamism that threatens the welfare systems and different levels of work productivity and competitiveness are all interrelated. European countries are aware of these problems and the relatively good news is that the political determination seems to becoming stronger. This political determination is the only factor that can provide confidence in the Euro.”

Emphasizing the need of policy flexibility to further motivate the economies that are showing signs of improvement, Ms. Boyner said:

“All the economies will still need to keep up with their reforms and apply fiscal discipline as necessary. As Turkey, we need to think how Europe, acting in concert with an ever more important Turkey, can form a more effective alliance. We need to address the bad will that has been generated by the stalled membership process. On the other hand, our relations with Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries are very important in this European context as well: as Turkey strengthens its economic ties with Eurasian countries, she is getting stronger in her relations with the EU. Turkey’s EU membership is still a priority for Turkish business. Turkey is now essentially part of the European single market on the basis of the customs union since 1996 and the ongoing legislative harmonization process. For our trade, investments, tourism, technology, social programs, manufacturing, services and daily life standards the EU is center of gravity. We can no longer tolerate to remain outside the EU because the policies and regulations of the EU are adopted and applied by Turkey in any case.”