Germany visa problem: Statement from the ambassador

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Berlin Ahmet Başar Şen stated that the visa problem of business people is the first issue in their meetings with German authorities at all levels and said that they expect Germany to meet Türkiye’s expectations in improving visa procedures.

Şen gave a reception at the Embassy in Berlin to the representatives of the companies participating in IFA Berlin 2024, known as Europe’s largest consumer electronics fair, and the official delegation from Türkiye.

In his speech, Ambassador Şen stated that IFA is one of the most important fairs organized in Berlin and said, “A total of 53 companies from our country, 21 of which are national participants and 32 of which are individual participants, represent us and our sectors at IFA. This is a good participation.” Noting that they have good economic relations with Germany, Şen emphasized that this country continues to be one of Türkiye’s leading trade and investment partners.

“Among the leading countries in Germany's foreign trade, Türkiye ranks 14th in exports and 17th in imports,” Şen said:

“In terms of our country's exports, Germany ranks first. IFA, of course, is not a fair that appeals only to the German market, but it is important for us to show our presence here in order to participate seriously in the German market and the European market. It is also important in terms of our trade with Germany.”

Emphasizing that the close relations between the two countries in every field are further reinforced by the more than 3.5 million people of Turkish origin living in Germany, Şen said that these people constitute very important social, trade and investment ties. Şen stated that for the first time this year, Türkiye surpassed Spain in the German package tour market and rose to the first place and said, “Currently, Türkiye is the first country. This is a very pleasing development for us.”

- “We are addressing the visa problems of business people with the German authorities”

Ambassador Şen stated that the visa problem was the first issue in the meetings they held with the German authorities at all levels and said that they expected Germany to meet Türkiye's expectations in terms of improving visa procedures.

Stating that Germany is the country with the most populous mission in terms of Türkiye's organization abroad and that they help business people in these missions, Şen said, “When we have business people who cannot participate in fairs because they cannot get a visa, or when we have business people who give up participating in a fair or who have problems with a fair because of ‘I wonder if we will be represented there sufficiently’, we are also concerned with the same problem, the same problem of our companies.”

“Especially the visa issue of our business world and business people is the first issue in our meetings with the German authorities at all levels,” Şen said:

“This has been the first issue for a long time. The German side makes different promises and can present different problems. They say that they have improved, improved and will improve on this issue. They promise us more improvements, but since we have not yet seen that these problems can be solved, we continue to insist on our demands and requests. In the coming period, they say that Germany's missions in Türkiye are moving towards digitalization, especially in the visa issue, and therefore shortening and facilitating the procedures. I can say, 'We are looking forward to these developments right now. We know that you and our sectors are also looking forward to this.”

Güven Uçkan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Electrical and Electronics Exporters' Association (TET), presented a plaque to Ambassador Şen and thanked him for his invitation to the Berlin Embassy.

- National participation from Türkiye to the fair

Known as Europe's largest consumer electronics fair, IFA 2024 is dominated by Asian companies, particularly from China and South Korea, while 53 companies from Türkiye are taking part this year.

The Turkish Electrical and Electronics Exporters' Association is participating in the fair as a national exhibitor with 21 companies in an area of 400 square meters. In addition, 32 companies such as Vestel, Arzum and Kumtel are participating in the fair with their own means and exhibiting their new products.

IFA 2024, where sustainability and artificial intelligence come to the forefront, will host its visitors in Berlin until September 10. More than 1800 companies from more than 45 countries will exhibit their new technology products and more than 180 thousand people are expected to visit the fair.

This year's highlights include artificial intelligence, sustainability, connectivity, digital health and content creation. From refrigerators with advanced features to virtual chefs, products demonstrate the impact of AI on everyday life, with modern ovens automatically recognizing which food is being prepared and adjusting the temperature and cooking time accordingly.

South Korea is the partner country of the fair, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

This year, the fair will provide attendees with the opportunity to monitor and compare AI-assisted trends in the home electronics and white goods sectors, meet new products and technologies, and use innovative products that are heavily influenced by AI.