President Milanović at Croatian-Turkish Business Forum: Politics without principle is a social sin, as is doing business without morals

The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović and the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the participants of the Croatian-Turkish Business Forum, which was organized by Lider Media, the Club of Exporters and DEIK, and held under the auspices of President Milanović.

The following is the full speech given by President Milanović at the Croatian-Turkish Business Forum:

“It is my great pleasure to address such a large gathering of esteemed Croatian and Turkish entrepreneurs. Business forums are an important part of economic diplomacy. They open up opportunities where your business interests will go hand in hand with benefiting our countries. Due to the pandemic, this is the first such forum organized during my mandate. I am glad that it took place on the occasion of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of Croatia.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers – Lider Media and the Club of Exporters – on a job well done. I also thank all of you for your participation. Your interest in new business opportunities shows to great extent that Croatian and Turkish business communities are truly attempting to enhance and further intensify our good economic ties.

Many would be willing to describe the context we are in with the term ‘a perfect storm’. Uncertainty, risks and stress are at high levels in the global economy. But the same applies to both global and regional politics. We can clearly identify the forces that will affect economic outcomes in 2022: from the war in Ukraine, tightening of monetary policy, slowing growth in China, to vaccine access to stem the pandemic. The question is whether we can equally well identify the forces that will influence political outcomes in 2022, and at what level. But perhaps even more important than that is to point out the need for balance and for having mutual respect for different interests. By respecting different interests, it is ensured that the preferences of all members of the political community are represented. This, in turn, ensures political and social balance in turbulent times.

Politics without principle is a social sin, as is doing business without morals. I am convinced that everyone present understands both processes and will actively contribute to principles and morals being characteristic of our future cooperation.

Our good and long-standing bilateral relations are mirrored in the constant strengthening of our economic and investment ties. Our trade reached a record amount of $846 million last year. This is an excellent result that is accelerating this year. I believe that at the end of 2022 our trade will exceed one billion dollars.

In recent years, we have seen significant investments by Turkish companies in Croatia, mostly in the field of tourism, renewable energy sources and banking. I personally received a number of prominent Turkish businessmen, some of whom are here today. I welcomed each of them, and I wish to convey the same to all of you from this podium.

Croatia offers a unique combination of the advantages of membership in the European Union, macroeconomic stability, transport accessibility and generous incentive measures for investment projects. Just for the reconstruction after the earthquake the demand has been continuous and foreseen for a period of several years, with a stable banking sector that can provide full support to all interested companies from abroad. There is a world outside the EU and the Republic of Croatia strongly counts on it.

Croatia is already seen as an attractive investment destination and successful Croatian companies also have their place on the Turkish market. Croatia could be foreign investors’ starting point to European and regional markets.

We live in a time of big change in the international economic environment. We are faced with disruptions in global recovery and the danger of national economic priorities overshadowing long-term global goals. Rising inequality, climate change and demographic challenges can’t be solved within national borders. The answer is in expanding and deepening ties, in recognising and respecting different interests, and in working together on a mutually beneficial balance.

I am pleased that His Excellency President Erdogan’s official visit will strengthen mutual trust and encourage progress in bilateral relations. I sincerely wish you success in all your quality endeavours and plans. I call on you to continue to embark on everything that brings us closer together, many joint business initiatives above all, and to discover new areas of future cooperation.”

Seventy-five Turkish and 160 Croatian entrepreneurs, representatives of the construction sector, energy, tourism, processing industry, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, financial sector and other economic branches attended the Croatian-Turkish Business Forum.  

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta