Brussels Representative Office

The Brussels Representation of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce was established on September 19, 2005, under the leadership of the then President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Ali Erel, and inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. Its purpose is to represent the Turkish Cypriot business community in particular and the Turkish Cypriot people in general, within the framework of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce’s vision for the European Union and a solution to the Cyprus problem, and to contribute to the integration process of our people with the European Union.

Within this vision, one of the founding missions of the KTTO Brussels Representative Office was to overcome the shortcomings in the implementation of the Green Line Trade Regulation, which came into force following South Cyprus’s accession to the European Union in 2004, and to improve the Regulation, in light of the special task assigned to the KTTO on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side. Parallel to this, it also lobbied for the adoption of the Financial Assistance and Direct Trade Regulations submitted to the Council of Europe in the same year. To this end, the Representative Office began engaging in meetings and collaborative work with representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Permanent Representations of Member States comprising the Council of Europe, as well as chambers of commerce and industry, civil society organizations, think tanks, and media representatives. Over time, with the changing political framework and the expanding and strengthening network of contacts, the KTTO Brussels Representative Office diversified its activities, undertaking events in Brussels and Cyprus that went beyond trade.

Since its inception in 2005, our Representation has aimed to be the window of Turkish Cypriots to Europe by providing intellectual and logistical support to various groups from both the political and civil arenas of the Turkish Cypriot people in their relations with the EU. With its office in the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) building, our Representation strives to integrate our members, from whom our Chamber derives its main strength, with the Belgian and EU business world.

The Brussels Representation of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce was established on September 19, 2005, by the then President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Ali Erel, and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, within the framework of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce’s vision for the European Union and a solution to the Cyprus problem. Its purpose is to represent the Turkish Cypriot business community in particular and the Turkish Cypriot people in general, and to contribute to the integration process of our people with the European Union.

Within this vision, one of the founding missions of the KTTO Brussels Representative Office was to overcome the shortcomings in the implementation of the Green Line Trade Regulation, which came into force following South Cyprus’s accession to the European Union in 2004, and to improve the Regulation, in light of the special task assigned to the KTTO on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side. Parallel to this, it also lobbied for the adoption of the Financial Assistance and Direct Trade Regulations submitted to the Council of Europe in the same year. To this end, the Representative Office began engaging in meetings and collaborative work with representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Permanent Representations of Member States comprising the Council of Europe, as well as chambers of commerce and industry, civil society organizations, think tanks, and media representatives. Over time, with the changing political framework and the expanding and strengthening network of contacts, the KTTO Brussels Representative Office diversified its activities, undertaking events in Brussels and Cyprus that went beyond trade.

Since its inception in 2005, our Representation has aimed to be the window of Turkish Cypriots to Europe by providing intellectual and logistical support to various groups from both the political and civil arenas of the Turkish Cypriot people in their relations with the EU. With its office in the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) building, our Representation strives to integrate our members, from whom our Chamber derives its main strength, with the Belgian and EU business world.

Our agency is pleased to offer the following services to our members and civil society organizations representing various segments of our public:
–
Information about the

structure, functioning,

mechanisms, and policies.

–
Informing

about external demands regarding exports, imports and various collaborations of companies operating in

countries;

–
Communicating our members’ requests regarding exports, imports, and various collaborations to the

business community through EU

–
To support our members in finding solutions to commercial disputes with

companies with whom they cooperate;

–
Preparation of business trip programs –

relevant companies, institutions and individuals operating in your field in Belgium and other European Union countries and arranging meetings;

–

support upon request for trips and business meetings in Brussels and other EU countries;

–


–
Delivering the organization’s publications

to the relevant places in Brussels;

–
To provide information about conferences, seminars, training courses, and fairs related to their fields that will be held in

–

the telephone, fax,

and meeting room facilities available in our office;

–
Discounted accommodation at our

EU’s decision-making
our members EU
European Chambers of Commerce;
European
Finding and identifying
Guidance and translation
To enable our Civil Society Organizations to initiate effective relationships with their counterparts, to achieve gains for the segments they represent, and to more effectively articulate the problems of the Turkish Cypriot c ommunity in general;
– Organizing study trips to Brussels for our NGOs to discuss their respective topics;
(brochures, booklets, magazines, etc.)
Brussels;
Utilizing internet,
partner hotels.
Relationships with umbrella organizations and networks operating in Europe:

Relations with the European Small Business Alliance (ESBA):
Founded in 1998, the European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) is one of the largest organizations in Europe representing micro and small businesses and self-employed individuals, particularly through lobbying activities within the EU. Representing nearly one million businesses in 36 different European countries, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce became a full member of ESBA in January 2010, taking another step in the process of integrating the Turkish Cypriot business world with Europe.

Relations with Eurochambres:
The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce represents the Turkish Cypriot business community by participating in the monthly Brussels Delegates meeting of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Eurochambres, with which it shares an office building.

NIROC Network:
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Brussels Representation is a member of the network of interest representation offices from new, candidate and potential Member Countries (Network of Interest Representation Offices from New Members, Candidates and Potential Candidate Countries).

Transatlantic Network 2020:
Lale Şener, KTTO’s Brussels Representative, represents KTTO on this platform as one of the 20 professionals selected from across Europe for the Transatlantic Network 2020, which is run by the British Council and addresses European-North American relations.

KTTO Brussels Representative: Lale Şener
Address: KTTO Brussels Representation Office
Rond-Point Schuman 6, Box 5 1040 Brussels
Phone:  +32 (0) 2 234 7826
E-mail: lshener@ktto.net
Web Site: www.ktto.net/brussels