SJR17 Summary

• Expresses Alabama legislative support for the United States to initiate negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement with Turkey.

• Identifies Turkey as the sixth largest economy in Europe and sixteenth largest in the world, with a founding membership in the OECD and G-20.

• Notes Turkey has signed 16 free trade agreements with various countries and is in negotiations with Canada, Lebanon, South Africa, and Mexico.

• Highlights that US exports account for 6.09 percent of goods entering Turkey and that a free trade agreement could encourage privatization and Turkish investment in Alabama.

• References strong cultural and economic ties between Turkey and Alabama through Turkish-American organizations, including the Turkish American Chamber of Commerce Southeast and activities strengthening bilateral relations since 2001.