Turkey Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was granted "Civil Merit of Spain Encomienda Payer" as of his contributions to the two countries' relations. Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the Spanish Ambassador Juan Gonzalez Barba who granted the payer on behalf of King of Spain Felipe the 5th for his merit and emphasized that he sees this award as the success of the business world.
Hisarcıklıoğlu said “I accept and receive this meaningful and valuable award together with the principal representatives of the Turkish business world, my Chamber and Exchange Presidents. We will continue to increase our bilateral trade and investments. We will ensure that more companies make mutual trade and investment”.
Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke at the ceremony, stating that Turkey and Spain are two of the most ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean; Spain's culture achievements in the arts and sports fields that are closely monitored in Turkey.
Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that Barcelona-Real Madrid Derby is followed as closely as Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray Derby, added “The Spanish-made 'La Casa De Papel' series, which has a large audience in the world and is watched with enthusiasm by the Turks, includes characters such as Tokyo, Berlin and Rio. In the 3rd season, which will start in July, maybe you will surprise the audience with the 'Istanbul' character.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that this firmness was also reflected in political and economic relations and spoke that “We work together in NATO, OECD and the European Council. We undertook very significant tasks through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Spain’s support for Turkey during the European Union (EU) Membership Process has demonstrated once again the friendship”.
"We will increase our mutual trade and investments"
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the commercial relations between the two countries are at a good level and used the following statements:
“Spain is among the top 10 trading partners of Turkey. The investments made from Spain to Turkey exceeded 10 billion euros. Almost 700 Spanish companies have been operating in Turkey. This shows that Spain's confidence in the Turkish economy and Turkey. We are glad to see that Turkish companies have shown interest in Spain in recent years. Around 100 of our companies have invested in Spain.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that TOBB has been working hard to improve commercial relations with Spain and expressed that it was honored that their contribution to bilateral relations was awarded with "Encomienda Payer of Civil Merit of Spain". He expressed his gratitude to His Majesty the King of Spain Felipe the 5th: “I would also like to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, the Grand Chancellor. Certainly, I would especially like to thank Mr. Ambassador, who successfully represented Spain, who nominated me, in our country.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they will continue to increase mutual trade and investment, "We will ensure that more firms make mutual trade and invest. Turkey and Spain together and grow as each other support, will make it possible to continue to progress." said.
“We support Turkey through the EU Membership Process”
Spanish Ambassador Juan Gonzalez Barba also underlined that they were good in sevice of economic relations between countries and Turkey and sad “The trade volume between the two countries was 13 billion euros last year. Turkey is the third country which Spain does trade apart from the EU countries.”
Emphasizing that mutual investments are continuing rapidly, Barba said that the devoted efforts of TOBB and Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu have contributed to this.
Barba, who welcomed Hisarcıklıoğlu’s efforts to develop the relationship of the two countries with appreciation, said “Spain supports Turkey's accession process to the EU and other candidate countries as equal and defenses that candidates must go through a fair evaluation process.”
On the other hand, Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Gursel Baran, Turkey Tradesmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK) Chairman Bendevi Palandöken and Turk-İş President Ergun Atalay made a speech at the ceremony to congratulate Hisarcıklıoğlu. Many ambassadors were also present at the ceremony.
