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Turkey Battles to Avoid Exclusion from 'Made in Europe' Initiative

Published January 27, 2026, 10:13
Turkey Battles to Avoid Exclusion from 'Made in Europe' Initiative

Turkey is reacting to a draft EU regulation prioritizing 'Made in Europe' products in public procurement, arguing that its treatment as a 'third country' would negatively impact its economic ties with the EU. Ankara maintains that the EU-Turkey Customs Union, in effect since 1995, creates a deep economic integration that cannot be ignored. The new regulation proposes a minimum percentage of local content for strategic technologies, emphasizing geographical origin and self-sufficiency. Turkey has initiated diplomatic efforts to prevent its exclusion, while the final text of the regulation is expected to be extensively debated in the European Parliament and Council. This dispute highlights the sensitivity of economic relations between Turkey and the EU and the need for negotiation and compromise.