Turkish Business Community Urges EU to Update Customs Union and Rethink  Accession

Summary:

Turkey’s business community has called on European Union leaders to pursue a “paradigm shift” in EU–Turkey relations, urging an update of the Customs Union and a reassessment of what it described as an inefficient accession framework that has stalled Turkey’s membership process. The appeal was made in a full-page open letter published in the Financial Times.

Open Letter Published in Financial Times

The open letter, published as a full-page advertisement in the UK-based Financial Times, was addressed to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The letter was signed by Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) Chairman Nail Olpak, DEİK Europe Business Councils Coordinator Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, and the chairs of 25 Turkey–Europe Business Councils, representing Turkish companies with deep commercial ties to the European Union.

Call for a “Paradigm Shift” in EU–Turkey Relations

The Turkish business community argued that the current framework governing EU–Turkey relations has become outdated and counterproductive.

“It is time to reassess the existing inefficient method that has blocked Turkey’s accession process,” the letter said, calling for a fundamental shift in how the EU approaches Turkey’s candidacy.

The signatories stressed that in a geopolitically fragmented world, Europe’s competitiveness would be strengthened through a modernised EU–Turkey Customs Union, allowing for deeper economic integration and more resilient supply chains.

Turkey Framed as Strategic Asset for Europe

The letter emphasized that Turkish companies have long been embedded in Europe’s value chains, industrial ecosystems and innovation networks.

“For decades, Turkish companies and entrepreneurs have been an integral part of Europe’s value chains,” the letter said, adding that Europe’s future prosperity depends on cooperation, openness and the effective mobilisation of all available resources — including Turkey’s human, economic and technological capabilities.

The business leaders reaffirmed their commitment to European values and said they were ready to contribute constructively to Europe’s economic strength and global competitiveness.

Europe’s Challenges Highlighted

The letter outlined a range of structural and geopolitical challenges currently facing the European Union, including:

• The rapid transformation of economies and societies driven by artificial intelligence

• The green transition, requiring strategic vision, sustained investment and social cohesion

• Rising social anxiety, demographic change and migration pressures

• Increasingly complex transatlantic relations

• Ongoing geopolitical developments across Eurasia

• The growing global weight of the Asia-Pacific region, with long-term strategic and economic implications

Against this backdrop, the signatories argued that Turkey’s fuller integration into the EU framework could form part of Europe’s response to these challenges.

Turkey’s Integration Described as a Strategic Necessity

The letter described Turkey’s integration into the EU as a key component of Europe’s ambition to remain a credible global power.

While acknowledging that there are unresolved issues on both sides, the authors said the prolonged stagnation in Turkey’s accession process has become increasingly untenable given the pace of global change.

“History is moving faster than political processes,” the letter said, adding that Europe faces a test of responsibility, courage and wisdom toward future generations.

Customs Union Modernisation and Clear Membership Perspective

The Turkish business community called for Turkey to be given a clear and credible EU membership perspective, arguing that this would restore strategic clarity and rebuild mutual trust.

The letter noted that although bilateral disputes between Turkey and the EU exist, they have gained disproportionate weight compared with the “vital and existential challenges” facing the continent.

“A strong, integrated and globally influential European Union is essential not only for all European countries, including Turkey, but also for the stability of our shared neighbourhood and the wider world,” the letter said.

Turkish Companies Pledge Support

The letter concluded by underscoring the readiness of Turkish companies — including EU firms operating in Turkey — to contribute to a stronger Europe through investment, innovation and long-term partnerships.

“We have full confidence that you will take the bold steps needed to secure our shared future, and we stand ready to support this effort,” the signatories said.

They added that it is also the responsibility of the Turkish business community to ensure that constructive and visionary EU policies find strong support within Turkey.

Turkish press sources