-Can we say that Türkiye has achieved economic stability?
It cannot be said that there is economic stability in the country, as the economy has been affected by both external and internal factors. Internally, the 1999 earthquake and the 2000 economic crisis had negative effects on our economy. Externally, all of our eastern and southern neighboring countries have parliamentary democracies. In fact, Turkey, with over 95% of its population of Muslim origin, is the only country governed by a parliamentary democracy. Certainly, there is pressure from the Islamic world against the Westernization of our politics. Moreover, the instability created in these countries has generated considerable tension in the daily life of our country. International interventions in the region negatively impact the Turkish economy.
– What are the most immediate economic and commercial projects?
There is a customs agreement between Türkiye and the EU that covers industrial products. EU countries are the country's main importers, exporters, and investors.
Turkey has many projects focused on rural development, the environment, transportation, energy, and agriculture. EU financial assistance programs are needed to help Turkey become a more advanced country.
Spain is a good example of more direct cooperation, as the governments of both countries offer a credit program for Spanish businesses to invest in Turkey. In the fields of environment, transport, and construction, both Spanish and Turkish companies are cooperating and have applied for this credit. OHL, a Spanish company, is in charge of rehabilitating the railway line between Ankara and Istanbul, while Técnicas Reunidas SA is working on environmental projects in the Kocaeli region. Several Spanish companies, such as Mondragón and Ormazabal, are involved in the construction and renovation of irrigation and wastewater canals in Tuz Gölü, Konya, located in the Aegean region and southeastern Anatolia. These companies have also made investments in the energy sector in collaboration with Turkish firms.
The outlook for future trade between the two countries is optimistic, and we hope that the €400 million loan to OHL will encourage other Spanish companies to invest in Türkiye.
– How would you assess the presence of Spanish capital and companies in the country?
The main agents of trade relations between Türkiye and Spain are small and medium-sized enterprises.
In 2002, trade between the two countries was stronger than in 2001, reaching a turnover of around €3 billion. And it appears that this trend will continue in 2003. According to our forecasts, trade between Turkey and Spain will exceed €4 billion.
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