ATC Leads Turkish-American Relations with its new Team

Defence Turkey: Mr. Beasey, first of all thank you very much for this interview. You have been appointed as President and CEO of ATC in February 2015.  Could you please inform us about new structure and activities of ATC in this new term? 

It is a very exciting time at the ATC. We have streamlined and upgraded our online platforms, including our social media platforms, and added some new items to the 34th Annual Conference, taking place September 27-30, 2015 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. This year, more so than any other year, we are providing a broad range of forums for dialogue between the American and Turkish Business communities to better reflect the dynamic and diverse bilateral economic relationship. As a member based organization with multiple defense industry members, the ATC continues to design products and opportunities to highlight the defence sector, and the strong defence linkages between the two countries. 

Defence Turkey: Could you please enlighten us about ATC ‘s role to expand cooperation between two nations in defence?

The roots of the U.S. and Turkey economic relationship can be traced to the critical and close defense relationship these countries share. This relationship has been in place for over 50 years, and is in many ways the bedrock of the bilateral relationship. The ATC, for more the three decades, has been the forum of choice for Turkish and American Defense Companies. We don’t see this changing, and we are expanding our efforts to provide unparalleled government access, unbiased advocacy for member companies, and business support on both sides of the relationship. 

Defence Turkey: 34th Annual Conference will be held on September 27-30 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. What will the theme of this year and topics in defence sessions?

The overall theme for this year’s Conference on U.S.-Turkey Relations is “Commercial Diplomacy: Strengthening the Alliance”. This theme reflects a broadening of the economic relationship. There will be several specific defense sessions that will cover U.S.-Turkey cooperation against common threats, obstacles to greater cooperation in the defense industry, optimizing defense trade controls, as well as a panel on new cyber security initiatives. 

Defence Turkey: Could you please inform us about the other intended and planned activities /events focused on Defence and Aerospace in Turkey or US focused? 

The 34th Annual Conference is a big focus for the ATC, and its defense industry members. In addition, we are determined to provide more opportunities outside of the conference to strengthen defense industry ties between the U.S. and Turkey. ATC Chairman of the Board General James Jones and I will be traveling to Turkey in November along with representatives from member companies to highlight the tremendous economic cooperation and potential between our two countries. This trip provides a unique opportunity for companies on both sides of the bilateral relationship to highlight their successes and address challenges among high-level decision-makers in Turkey. Going into 2016, the ATC is determined to raise awareness around the importance of strengthening trade relations, and issues related to bilateral and regional trade initiatives, which have serious impacts on the Defense and Aerospace industry in the near future. 

Defence Turkey: What will be your vision for the next decade? 

The next decade is full of promise for the U.S.-Turkey economic relationship. Turkey’s goal of being a top 10 global economies by 2023 will depend greatly on its continued growth in the Defense sector, as well as many others. The Turkish economy has made great strides in the past decade and there is much more to do as it seeks to find a sustainable growth rate, manages inflation pressure, utilizes its well-educated and motivated labor market, and implements sound government practices to ensure Turkey’s emergence as a balanced and stable economy. Much the same, the ATC will continue to expand its products and presence in the U.S. and Turkey, advocate on behalf of our members, and educate audiences about the enormous economic potential between the U.S. and Turkey