Dr. Sayed El-Bous, adviser to minister of foreign trade and industry, said Turkey rejects importing the Egyptian potatoes following the EU's lead. “Turkey is not a member in the EU, yet it is following the EU's lead of not exporting the Egyptian potatoes." El-Bous said In exclusive statements to Amwal Al Ghad, El-Bous mentioned that there were joint meetings held few days ago with the Turkish counterpart on exporting the Egyptian potatoes and onions. He said the European counterpart rejected this matter under the pretext that Turkey adopts severe protectionist measures on the agricultural commodities. The EU counterpart also added that Turkey has concerns over the Egyptian agricultural products amid EU's decision of not to export these products. “This has led to the Egyptian exporters' substantial losses." El-Bous added In the meanwhile, Hassan Erdem - chief commercial councilor at the Turkish Embassy in Egypt – said according the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the two countries, Turkey has the right to exercise its protectionist rights regarding not to import commodities that could cause harm to its economy. “The Turkish market is not in need for the Egyptian potatoes as it has sufficient stock. Besides, Turkey's importing laws can never permit receiving such products which could harm the country's production, the agricultural commodities in particular." Erdem added “Such harm would have its impact on the Turkish farmer." The Egyptian-Turkish volume of trade exchange has increased fourfold since the signing of free trade agreement in 2007.
