2 days long forum was launched with a Gala Dinner at the Swissotel with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister and Chief Negotiator of EU Affairs Egemen Bagis , Italian Ambassador Gianpaolo Scarante, Spain Ambassador Joan Clos , German Ambassador Eckart Cuntz, UK Ambassador David Reddaway, Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Industries Ismail Tohumcu, Honory President of Turkey in Europe” Society Carlo Marsili, Finmeccanica CEO Pier Guarguaglini, President of Italy and Turkey Friendship Union and Turkey in Europe Society Giorgio Zappa, SSM Head of International Cooperation Department Lutfu Varoglu, Cal?k Holding Chairman Ahmet Cal?k, Kale Group Chairman Zeynep Bodur Okyay , Turkish and Italian officials, Industry executives and other distingueshed guests. The Turkey in Europe-Franco Nobili International Awards were presented on this same occasion.
The forum continued on 3 July2010 with a conference held at the Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC). It was divided into two sessions. State Minister and Chief Negotiator of EU Affairs Egemen Bagis, Honory President of Turkey in Europe” Society Carlo Marsili, IPALMO Chairman Gianni De Michelis attended the political session.
In his speech Carlo Masili underlined the view that Turkey is an important country that deserves to be in the European Union and continued by saying: “When we speak of a European identity we note that there is no common identity, the objective of the European Union, therefore, is to form a common unifying consciousness. It is wrong to leave Turkey out of this process. Turkey has dealt with the global crisis better than most European countries. There is very much that Turkey can contribute to the European Union.”
Later in is delivery to the forum, Egemen Bagis stated that Italy and Turkey were allies and that they supported each other in the areas of defence and said: “Italy and the UK support our membership in the European Union. In the ceremony in Van marking the martyrdom of our soldiers more than 20 EU ambassadors participated. This shows the viewpoint of the EU towards Turkey.”
The economic session were attended by SSM Head of International Cooperation Department Lutfu Varoglu, MBDA CEO Antonio Perfetti, Italferrr CEO Renato Casale, President of Sace Giovanni Castellaneta, President of CESI Andrea Margeletti, , Kale Group Chairman Zeynep Bodur Okyay and Managing Director of Typhoon Programme in BAE Chris Boardman. The theme of the second session, as underlined by organisers, was of vital importance for Turkish enterprises since it concerns industrial effects on the territory.
SSM Head of International Cooperation Department Lutfu Varoglu in his remarks provided information on the past and present cooperation between Turkey and Italy and went on to say the following: “At the present time the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), TCG Helicopter (MARTI), ATAK Helicopter, TCG Search and Rescue Ship, GÖKTÜRK Satellite System, MELTEM-3, 76 mm Naval Gun and the 40 mm Twin Compact Naval Gun projects is being carried out between the Turkish government and Italian and Turkish companies. Within the coverage of the project with AugustaWestland, the Mart? helicopters delivery was completed. Again the Atak Helicopter Project carried out with AugustaWestland, in accordance with the latest decisions adopted by the Defence Industry Executive Committee a decision to receive early delivery of nine helicopters was approved. These helicopters will undergo an intermediary configuration.”
Underlying the fact that the sales of Italian defence companies was 2 billion euro but that sales by Turkish companies to Italy was very low, Varoglu stated that this meant a bilateral defence trade that worked against Turkey and continued by saying: “Turkey must participate in the Italian Ministry of Defence programs. Within this coverage, Aselsan’s Pedestal Mounted Stinger ve Turkey’s Participation to ESSOR Software Defined Radio Program can be evaluated. Joint sales to third countries are an important opportunity for cooperation. Within the light of this, Turkey Offered 36 T-129 Attack Helicopter to S.Korea in exchange of Nuclear Power Plant and Direct Sales of T-129 Attack Helicopter to Pakistan.
MBDA CEO Antonio Perfetti stated the following in his remarks: “We are getting rapid answers from Turkey on our requests. There are local solutions and knowledge based on infrastructure. We can determine our future together by drawing up a road map and can expand together. We work directly with the Turkish defence industry. We find opportunities in opening up to new markets. We worked together to manufacture parts to third countries, the result was flawless and fantastic.”
The forum reiterated the enormous value of these effects, both at the economic level and that of technological growth, an issue which is often not dealt with by large international industrial groups.