Keeping Turkey out of TAFTA unfair: Minister

ANKARA

Ireland’s Deputy PM Gilmore (L) and Turkey’s Economy Minister Çağlayan. AA photo

Leaving Turkey outside of the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) between the European Union and the United States creates unfair competition for Turkey, the Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan said during his meeting with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore yesterday. 

“The EU, in talks with third countries, does not let Turkey sit at the table,” Çağlayan said, adding that Turkey had been forced to act according to text placed in front of EU member countries after the negotiations have been completed. “I believe that Ireland would eradicate this unfairness during their presidency term,” he added.

The issue has begun to capture headlines in Turkey particularly after US Secretary of State John Kerry voiced Washington’s willingness toward the inclusion of Turkey in the agreement. 

“This transatlantic commercial and investment agreement and partnership is of crucial significance for Turkey. We believe that Turkey needs to play a significant role in that structure,” Kerry said March 1 during a press conference with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, in Ankara.