( CNN ) -- Turkey 's Istanbul , the city where east meets west , is seen as a potentially pivotal center for relations between Europe and Asia . Now Turkey , once home of the Ottoman Empire -- one of the most powerful empires in the world before its demise in the 1920s -- is on the rise again , with its economy proving to be one of the strongest in the European region . `` Turkey has outperformed Europe in the last two years , consecutively growing around 9 % , '' Guler Sabanci , Sabanci Group chair , told CNN . World 's top economies in 2050 will be ... Turkey , unlike many economies on the continent , has been in the midst of an economic boom . But the debt woes of those nearby inevitably impacts Turkey 's health . Nearly half of Turkey 's exports head to the eurozone , while around 75 % of the country 's foreign investment is injected by Europe . Further 75 % of the country 's tourism comes from Europe . Sabanci , who helms one of Turkey 's largest companies , warns Europe 's slowdown is `` an important issue '' for the country , and will create headwinds in the months ahead . But Sabanci expects Turkey to continue its pitch for European Union membership , noting the country is already `` economically integrated '' with the region . Short-term gain or long-term pain ? UK says no to treaty . She points to the UK 's relationship with the European Union as one Turkey could emulate . `` Is the UK a full member or not ? Yes it is but is has a different model , '' she said . `` I used to say that Turkey 's accession to Europe is not a revolution , it 's just an evolution , '' she added .
Istanbul is seen as a potentially pivotal point for trade between Europe and Asia . Turkey 's economy is proving to be one of the strongest in the European region . Sabanci Group chair , Ali Sabanci , warns Europe 's slowdown is ` ` an important issue '' for Turkey .