2015 U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission

Details
Category: World News

Washington, DC - Representatives of the Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of Turkey met on February 12, 2015, for the eleventh U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission (EPC) meeting. The EPC is a key component of our joint efforts to strengthen the economic partnership between the United States and Turkey, as outlined in the U.S.-Turkey Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation. The meeting reflects our continued commitment to enhance trade and investment between our two countries.

The eleventh meeting of the EPC focused on exploring ways to expand bilateral trade and investment, identifying opportunities for commercial cooperation in third countries, and strengthening collaboration in science, technology, energy, and global health. Specific components of the EPC included:

  • An update on and discussion of the latest Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) negotiation round.
  • An overview of Turkey’s goals as G20 president.
  • Discussion of current market access issues, including discussion on biotechnological, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and defense marketing.
  • Promotion of an innovation-based economy.
  • Turkey’s five year energy strategy.
  • Collaboration in regions of interest, including sub-Saharan Africa, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
  • Ways to enhance energy infrastructure cooperation.
  • Potential cooperation in global health, including in Ebola-affected countries.
  • Discussion of enhanced cooperation on business travel facilitation.

Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles H. Rivkin led the United States delegation, which included representatives of the Departments of State, Commerce, Energy, Agriculture, Export-Import Bank, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and U.S. Trade Representative.

Ambassador Emre Yunt, Director General for Multilateral Trade Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Turkish delegation, with representatives of the Ministries of Economy; Energy and Natural Resources; Food, Agriculture, and Livestock; Science, Industry, and Technology; and Development; as well as the Turkish Export-Import Bank; Small and Medium Enterprises Organization; Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey; Capital Markets Board of Turkey; and Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey.