The second High-level Economic Dialogue (HLED) between the EU and Turkey was held on 8^th December. This event, annually organized since 2015, aims to strength bilateral economic and economic cooperation, as well to create a business platform to bring business circles together. Both delegations were composed by institutional delegates, as well as by major Turkish and European business community representatives, who addressed structural challenges to growth and competitiveness in their respective economies and policies to address them. Both sides agreed on the necessity of launching further reforms to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. They also put emphasis on the importance of investment, especially through the projects by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Although these events used to contribute to the accession negotiation, in this new edition the Turkish Deputy PM Şimşek stressed that HLED does not constitute an alternative to the accession process and stated that “Turkey remains anchored to full EU membership, which serves to the best interest of both parties. We look forward to smooth and swift upgrading of the Customs Union.”