Dear Delegates,
The Turkish – Arab Economic Forum is an important platform since 2005 in which select businessmen and politicians from Turkey and Arab countries meet periodically to unite efforts for strengthening regional economic ties. Building on the success of first, second and third forums which were held in 2005, 2006 and 2008, the Fourth The Turkish – Arab Economic Forum strives to identify and exploit further opportunities for collective intra-regional partnership.

The world is entering the most serious recession seen in at least 40 years. Turkey has met the crisis relatively more prepared and stronger due to the serious measures taken in the recent years in the areas of macroeconomic policies and structural reforms. The ongoing global financial crisis calls for closer cooperation and policy coordination at both global and regional levels. I believe that we can turn this crisis into opportunity in our region together.

This year’s Forum will be focus on the impacts of the global economic crisis and policies to mitigate the global recession. This Forum, which cover policy response to the global crisis and reform of financial institutions, will be very fruitful in enhancing friendly dialogue and economic cooperation among our countries.

With our quest to join European Union, the recent few years have been marked by significant developments in Turkey’s relations with the Union. The political and economic integration process with the EU has however by no means weakened our ties with Arab countries. To the contrary, our common historical heritage and economic bonds with Arab countries may only be further deepened with the integration process, giving us the opportunity to serve as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. We will therefore attach great importance to emphasizing the intermediary role of Turkey between the two regions throughout the Forum.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that it is a great pleasure to host our esteemed guests at the Forum. I believe that the Forum will live up to the expectations of all the participants from both the political and the business circles of the Arab world and yield fruitful results. I hereby also extend my best wishes for the continued success of the Forum and look forward to new opportunities which will arise as a result of the mutual efforts the participants and organizers of the Forum will make.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Prime Minister
Republic of Turkey