ASO CHAIRMAN SEYIT ARDIÇ AND FRENCH AMBASSADOR DUMONT SIGN PROTOCOL
ASO CHAIRMAN ARDIÇ: THIS AGREEMENT WILL STRENGTHEN COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
The Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) has taken an important step to help resolve the Schengen visa challenges faced by the business community by introducing a special initiative for industrialists in Ankara. ASO Chairman Seyit Ardıç and the Ambassador of France to Ankara, Isabelle Dumont, signed a “Partnership Agreement in the Field of Visas.” Under the protocol, a special facilitation mechanism will be established for ASO member industrialists regarding French visa procedures for commercial activities; visa appointment processes will be accelerated and applications will be evaluated more efficiently.
ASO Chairman Seyit Ardıç stated, “I believe that the visa facilitation protocol will further strengthen the commercial relations our members establish with France, increase mutual investments, and contribute to technology-oriented collaborations.”
A “Partnership Agreement in the Field of Visas” was signed between the Ankara Chamber of Industry and the Embassy of France in Ankara in order to contribute to the development of economic and commercial relations between the two countries. Under the protocol signed by ASO Chairman Seyit Ardıç and French Ambassador to Ankara Isabelle Dumont, a facilitation mechanism will be established for ASO members during French visa application processes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the French Embassy in Ankara, ASO Chairman Seyit Ardıç stated that relations between Türkiye and France have deep historical roots dating back to the Ottoman period and emphasized that diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties today provide a strong foundation for cooperation.
Highlighting that France is one of Türkiye’s most important economic partners, Chairman Ardıç stated that the total trade volume between the two countries reached approximately 24 billion dollars as of 2025.
“When we look at the last ten years, we see that our trade volume has grown steadily. The fact that trade volume, which stood at approximately 14 billion dollars in 2016, has now exceeded the 24 billion dollar level clearly demonstrates the strong economic momentum in our bilateral relations.”
Chairman Ardıç also noted that the confidence of French investors in the Turkish economy can be seen through direct investments, emphasizing that major French companies have been operating in Türkiye for many years in the fields of investment, production, and finance.
Emphasizing that economic relations between Ankara and France have also gained strong momentum, Chairman Ardıç stated:
“Ankara’s strong industrial production capacity and France’s advanced technology and high value-added industrial infrastructure offer significant opportunities for cooperation. In order to make more effective use of this potential, it is of great importance that our business people establish faster and more efficient contact with France.”
“VISA FACILITATION WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MUTUAL INVESTMENTS”
Chairman Ardıç stated that they view the signed visa facilitation protocol as a strategic step that will strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
“I believe that this agreement will further strengthen the commercial relations our Ankara Chamber of Industry members establish with France, increase mutual investments, and contribute to technology-oriented collaborations.”
French Ambassador to Ankara Isabelle Dumont also stated that the protocol represents an important step and noted that effective management of the process would be beneficial for both parties.
The signing ceremony was attended by ASO Deputy Secretary General Dr. Ahmet Dinçer, Director of International Relations and Foreign Trade Dr. Serkan Bürken, and officials from the French Embassy in Ankara.
APPOINTMENT PROCESSES TO BE ACCELERATED, APPLICATIONS TO BE EVALUATED MORE EFFICIENTLY
Under the signed protocol, a special facilitation mechanism will be established for representatives serving in Ankara Chamber of Industry governing bodies, professional committee members, and senior executives of ASO member companies regarding French visa procedures for commercial activities.
Within this framework, certain appointment quotas will be allocated through the external service provider authorized by France, and applications will be evaluated more efficiently.
The protocol aims to provide greater predictability and speed in Schengen visa procedures for Turkish businesspeople traveling to France for business purposes, increase commercial contacts, strengthen investment relations, and improve cooperation between the industrial communities of the two countries.
The protocol is expected to contribute particularly to the integration of Ankara industry with European markets and to the further deepening of Türkiye–France economic relations.
