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Understanding the Importance and Controversy of the Free Trade Agreement Türkçe
The Free Trade Agreement Türkçe (FTA), also known as the Türkiye-Avrupa Birliği Serbest Ticaret Anlaşması in Turkish, is a comprehensive trade agreement between Turkey and the European Union (EU) that aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs, quotas, and other barriers to the flow of goods, services, and investments between the two parties. The FTA was first proposed in 1987 and finally signed in 1995, but it took until 2017 for all EU member states to ratify it due to various political and economic obstacles.
The FTA has both economic and political significance for Turkey and the EU. Turkey, as a major regional power with a young and dynamic population, seeks to diversify its exports and attract more foreign investments, especially from its main trading partner, the EU. The FTA provides Turkish exporters with better access to the EU market, which accounts for about half of their total exports, and encourages them to improve their product quality and competitiveness. The FTA also allows for more cooperation in various sectors, such as agriculture, energy, services, and intellectual property, and promotes the exchange of people and ideas between Turkey and the EU.
The EU, on the other hand, sees the FTA as a way to deepen its economic and strategic ties with Turkey, which is both a candidate country for EU membership and a key partner in addressing common challenges such as migration, terrorism, and regional instability. The EU also hopes that the FTA would help to strengthen the rule of law, human rights, and democracy in Turkey, especially after the failed coup attempt in 2016 and the subsequent crackdown on opposition and media. The EU has repeatedly expressed its concerns over the state of emergency measures, the lack of progress in the accession negotiations, and the alleged violations of the FTA, such as the non-tariff barriers and the dispute settlement mechanism.
The FTA has been subject to various controversies and criticisms, both in Turkey and the EU. Some Turkish businesses and trade unions have complained that the FTA has led to unfair competition from EU firms, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, and that it has failed to boost Turkey`s exports and employment as promised. Some Turkish politicians and intellectuals have also criticized the FTA for undermining Turkey`s sovereignty and identity, and for perpetuating the unequal relations between the global North and South. On the other hand, some EU member states and civil society groups have accused Turkey of not fully complying with the FTA`s requirements, such as the protection of intellectual property rights and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. They have also raised concerns over Turkey`s human rights record and its drift away from EU values and norms.
The FTA, like any other free trade agreement, is not a panacea for all economic and political problems, but rather a tool that requires constant monitoring, negotiation, and adaptation to changing circumstances. The FTA Türkçe, in particular, reflects the complex and dynamic relations between Turkey and the EU, which are shaped by historical, cultural, geographical, and geopolitical factors. As a professional, one should be aware of the various keywords and phrases that readers may use to search for information on the FTA Türkçe, such as “Türkiye AB serbest ticaret anlaşması”, “Turkey EU free trade agreement”, “regional integration”, “economic diplomacy”, and “Turkey-EU relations”. One should also be careful to use credible sources, such as official EU and Turkish documents, academic studies, and reputable media outlets, to provide accurate and balanced information on the FTA Türkçe and its implications for Turkey, the EU, and the world.