This transcript was automatically generated and may contain errors.

Thank you Minister. Thank you commissioner.

We have time for a few short questions. Let's start here with Malika. I have a question for Mr.

Commissioner regarding the growing debate among Member States over the proposed made in EU rules.

Some have expressed concerns that imposing restrictions on trade could negatively affect Europe's competitiveness and create new dependencies rather than reduce existing ones.

I wonder what is your position on these concerns. Thank you. Thank you very much for this question.

I think that the proposals which we put on the table over the last couple of months have been clearly the result of a very thorough reflection on how to deal with these new trade realities,

as you know, very often.

The European market was flooded by the goods where we had the strong assumptions that not everything was done in accordance with the WTO rules.

We've been raising these issues at the different multilateral fora, how to find new ways to deal with the state subsidies,

with distorting trade practices, and many other issues, so.

So I would say also that these proposals which you referred to have been a reaction to this situation and therefore,

we as a strong believer in free and fair trade, been highlighting not only these issues but pushing the trade agenda.

To, I would say all corners of the world, so you, I'm sure you've been following, our, very ambitious trade agenda.

We signed a free trade agreement with the Latin American countries of Mercosur, with India, Indonesia, Australia,

and we are working, of course, very hard on the further negotiations with the Southeast Asian or Gulf countries.

It is important to say is that now more than 50% of the global population is covered by our free trade agreements and in all these documents what we do is we insist on fair rules,

fair treatment, fair trade practices, because only in this way we can secure.

Fair trade for the future, and many of the proposals which you highlighted are currently in the co-legislative process, so they go through the usual procedures when they are discussed in the Parliament,

in the Council, but I believe that the goal is the same to make sure that Europe is more competitive,

stronger, and better equipped for the current very volatile trade world. Thank you, Commissioner, another question here. Honolulu Agency AA.

To ask about Made in the EU, and industrial accelerator act. It's a high topic in Brussels also.

Everyone is discussing about it,

and I'm wondering what's the Turkish automotive industry situation in this and what would be the consequences of it. Thank you very much. Thank you for the question. As, Commissioner, Honorable Mr.

Dekovic pointed out, there are heated discussions on these issues since, particularly,

protectionist waves started for the last two years in the world. And, there is WTO, World Trade Organization.

With which of its rules member signatory countries should comply,

and all countries take stock of their trade policies and industrial development and industrial policies,

and they try to take action accordingly.

What we say about all these discussions on the Industrial Accelerator Act within the EU,

Turkey and the EU have such a strong industrial integration for 30 years under the customs union.

Both sides are interdependent on each other, particularly in the automotive sector.

26% of the Turkish EU annual trade of €205 billion comes from the automotive trade, which totals €55 billion a year reciprocally and The EU auto industries have investments in Turkey which total about €21 billion for the last 55 years,

and 75% of the Turkish domestic auto production are owned by the EU companies,

EU enterprises which have subsidiaries in Turkey.

Also in the Turkish auto market,

the EU has a domination of that market with both domestic production and with the 73% of the imported autos from the world,

so.

In both vehicles, finished vehicles, as well as in components, parts,

Turkish and EU auto industries are very strongly and interconnected and integrated.

We do hope and ask for member countries, decision makers that This important ecosystem,

industrial system in the auto industry between Turkey and the EU should be taken into account for the benefit of EU industries and Turkish industries in investment,

production, and trade.

Customs union of 30 years entailed this fact.

This is a very successful integration between the two sides which resulted in 11 times higher trade in the last 30 years between Turkey and the EU.

From $21 billion of trade up to $233 billion of trade last year,

so Turkey and the EU integration in the automotive sector and in other sectors.

Are on a sustainable and balanced and win-win basis.

So this is like two ways to treat. It's not like just one-way street.

Therefore, for the benefit of our economies,

industries, and our people's welfare.

Employment for both the EU and Turkish side requires that Industrial Accelerator Act and Maiden EU project should consider Turkey as a partner country or as an equivalent partner from the beginning,

from the onset.

To the benefit of both sides and not to break down the customs union or supply chain or industrial integration between the two sides. Thank you Minister. We can take one more question.

Finbar, thank you for the commissioner and then for the Minister. Can you get a Finn? Would you mind taking a microphone?

Thanks very much be right in front of you there. Thank you.

Excuse me, Finbar Birmingham from the South China Morning Post, question for the Commissioner and one for the Minister also.

Commissioner, last week in China, you said that the the hybrid deal that you managed to achieve was a first step.

Have you had reassurances or signals that Beijing is open to replicating this sort of quota-based deal in other critical sectors without retaliation,

as we believe has been achieved in the hybrid sector?

And for the minister, you've you've spoken about the importance of the Turkish automotive sector.

Has the Commission communicated to you about the sort of quota you would have for exporting hybrid cars to the European Union under this deal that has been done with China last week? Thank you. Thank you very much for the question.

Our shared our shared understanding which we achieved with my Chinese counterparts,

and I believe that by now we are very familiar with the details is indeed the result of unprecedented engagement.

I mean, we, we had high frequency of interaction on all levels from the level of the, of the head of units, directors, deputy ministers,

up to, the level of the, of the ministers, and as you know, my last meeting in China was the vice prime minister, Helifeng.

And the agreement was very clear that this intensive engagement will continue first.

I have to say that I appreciate the positive feedback by the member states, but also because you are referring to the particular segment by our automa automakers,

and I I have to say that it is indeed meant to create meaningful breathing space for the industry,

preserving production and jobs in the European Union.

Second, as you are very well aware,

the European Council will discuss this agreement in greater detail.

I would like to confirm that the Commission is ready to start the work as soon as possible so that provisional measures under the safeguards can be adopted by December and the agreement can enter into force as of January.

And as I have already said, and you've been correct in stating that,

I highlighted that this is the crucial first step, but only a first step.

In the process of rebalancing, so clearly the work will continue at pace with Minister Van Guentao and between our teams,

and we already agreed that we would reconvene in January and then again in March.

So this implies an approach and solution based on negotiations.

You had raised a question to me as well.

Two cases are completely different because Turkey and the EU have a customs union for the last 30 years. Customs union for industrial goods means.

Means that no quotas or customs duties or measures having equivalent effect between the two sides,

as well as adoption of a common external tariff regime of the EU by the signatory country Turkey.

And this integration worked very well to the benefit of both sides and reached a total trade of $62 billion in other words,

€55 billion annually between the two sides,

which was the best example of the customs union integration.

Therefore, it has nothing to do with the EU's new deal with another country. Thank you very much, Minister. Thank you, Commissioner. With this, we conclude our press briefing.

Thank you for your participation and we remind you that the joint statement from today's high level dialogue is now available online.

Thank you very much. Have a good evening. Thank you very much. Have a good evening.