Hansjoerg Kretschmer, head of the European Commission's delegation in Türkiye, said Monday that successful EU-related reforms would trigger a broader transformation benefiting both businesses and workers, even if certain adjustments prove difficult along the way.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Kretschmer noted that economic matters form a central part of the accession talks. He said the screening process was proceeding as expected, with 17 chapters completed and four screening reports drafted by the European Commission, which has recommended opening negotiations on two chapters and set benchmarks for two others.
Hisarciklioglu pointed out that 27 of the 35 negotiating chapters directly affect Türkiye's private sector. He said studies show roughly 235,000 companies operate in Türkiye, yet only about 1,000 currently meet EU production standards.
With negotiations targeted for completion by 2012 and full membership potentially by 2015, Hisarciklioglu warned that the remaining 234,000 companies would need to raise their standards within a process set to begin in 2007.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.