Belgium and Turkey Strengthen Ties with High-Level Economic Mission
Queen Mathilde of Belgium led a historic high-level economic mission to Turkey, the first in fourteen years, to reinforce nearly 200-year diplomatic ties. In Istanbul, Belgian and Turkish ministers signed a joint declaration targeting $15 billion in bilateral trade. The delegation, including senior government officials and business leaders, focused on enhancing cooperation in defense, logistics, energy, and technology. The mission aimed to facilitate market access for SMEs and address global supply chain challenges, underscoring Belgium’s status as a key investor and strategic partner for Turkey amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics.
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Queen Mathilde Leads Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye, Signing 40 New Agreements
Queen Mathilde of Belgium led a high-level economic delegation to Türkiye for a five-day visit, marking the first such mission in 14 years. Invited by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the delegation included senior government officials and 428 private sector representatives. The visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties in key sectors such as defense, energy, aviation, logistics, and digitalization. President Erdoğan emphasized the geopolitical importance of Turkey-EU relations and the need to update the Customs Union. Key events included the Turkey-Belgium Business Forum, where leaders discussed trade expansion and green economy cooperation. A Ministerial Joint Statement on developing commercial relations was signed by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot. Additionally, memorandums were signed regarding Industry 5.0 transitions. The delegation visited major Turkish institutions, including the Central Bank and Baykar’s technology center, highlighting Turkey's defense industry capabilities. The mission concluded with the signing of approximately 40 new commercial agreements and business partnerships, aiming to boost the existing $9.2 billion trade volume between the two nations.
Anadolu Ajansı Güncel HaberlerBelgian Queen Mathilde Visits CBRT Istanbul Financial Center Campus
Belgian Queen Mathilde and her delegation, visiting Turkey as part of the Belgian Economic Mission, toured the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) Istanbul Financial Center Campus. Accompanied by Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, and CBRT President Fatih Karahan, the delegation received detailed information about the building's construction from architects Şefik Birkiye and Selim Dalaman. This visit marked the third day of their Istanbul itinerary, which has focused on strengthening economic, trade, and diplomatic ties between Belgium and Turkey. Previous engagements included a tour of Baykar's technology center to observe Turkey's defense industry advancements, a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at Vahdettin Mansion, and participation in the Türkiye-Belgium Business Forum organized by DEIK. The Queen also addressed a panel on women's roles in business at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and witnessed signing ceremonies for cooperation between Turkish and Belgian companies. The mission underscores the growing bilateral commercial relationships and high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two nations, highlighting key sectors such as finance, technology, and defense.
Anadolu Ajansı Güncel HaberlerBelgian Deputy PM Prevot Highlights Economic Complementarity with Türkiye
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot, visiting Türkiye as part of Queen Mathilde's Economic Mission, emphasized the strong and complementary economic ties between Belgium and Türkiye. Speaking at the Turkey-Belgium Business Forum organized by DEIK, Prevot highlighted significant potential for deeper cooperation in key sectors including energy, aviation, space, defense, logistics, and biotechnology. He noted that Belgium is the eighth most important investor in Türkiye and praised Türkiye's innovative ecosystem, which aligns well with Belgian expertise. Prevot underscored that bilateral relations are rooted in nearly two centuries of diplomatic history and strengthened by the citizens of both nations. He announced plans to launch a new chapter of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission next year to further develop economic momentum. Additionally, he pointed out that while trade is robust, supported by the Customs Union, there is untapped potential in research and innovation, citing Belgium's role as Türkiye's fifth most important European research partner in Horizon Europe projects. The visit aims to facilitate market access for small and medium-sized enterprises and foster new partnerships.
Anadolu Ajansı Güncel HaberlerQueen Mathilde Launches First Economic Mission to Turkey with Joint Trade Declaration
Queen Mathilde has officially commenced her first economic mission to Turkey, marked by the signing of a joint declaration in Istanbul aimed at strengthening bilateral trade relations between Belgium and Turkey. The agreement was signed by Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot and Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Francken, alongside Turkish Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat. This event signifies a significant diplomatic step, occurring fourteen years after the last economic mission led by then-Prince Philippe. Officials emphasized the historical depth of ties, referencing an 1838 treaty with the Ottoman Empire, and highlighted Turkey as a strong, mature market. Belgium is currently the eighth-largest investor in Turkey. The mission focuses on enhancing cooperation and facilitating market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by connecting them directly with Turkish partners and decision-makers. High-level attendees included regional leaders such as Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Walloon Vice-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet, underscoring the comprehensive Belgian governmental support for this initiative. The presence of Queen Mathilde signals the high priority Belgium places on its nearly 200-year diplomatic relationship with Turkey.
Le SoirBelgium and Turkey Strengthen Bilateral Ties During High-Level Economic Mission
Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot and Defense Minister Theo Francken signed a joint declaration with Turkish Commerce Minister Ömer Bolat in Istanbul, officially launching a five-day economic mission to Türkiye. The event, attended by Queen Mathilde, marks the first such high-level mission in fourteen years and underscores the nearly 200-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Belgium, currently the eighth-largest investor in Türkiye, aims to facilitate market access for SMEs and deepen cooperation in key sectors including energy transition, aeronautics, logistics, life sciences, and digital transformation. Turkish officials emphasized the need to diversify partnerships amidst global protectionism and called for modernizing the EU-Turkey customs union to reflect new economic realities. While highlighting opportunities in innovation and R&D, the mission also addresses challenges such as high inflation and financial market volatility in Turkey. The delegation, comprising nearly 400 participants, will continue to Ankara for further meetings, excluding the Queen, to foster investment and strengthen multimodal transport links, leveraging Belgium’s status as a European logistics hub.
Le SoirBelgium and Turkey Strengthen Bilateral Ties During High-Level Economic Mission
Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot and Defense and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken signed a joint declaration with Turkish Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat in Istanbul, officially launching a Belgian economic mission to Türkiye. The event, attended by Queen Mathilde, marks the first such high-level economic mission since Prince Philippe’s visit fourteen years ago, underscoring the significance Belgium places on its nearly 200-year diplomatic relationship with Turkey. Ministers highlighted Belgium’s status as the eighth-largest investor in Türkiye and emphasized the need to deepen cooperation, particularly by facilitating market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Turkish officials stressed the importance of diversifying partnerships and maintaining dialogue amidst a global shift toward protectionism. They also identified Belgium as a strategic multimodal transport hub for connecting Turkey to continental Europe. The mission included high-profile engagements, with Queen Mathilde meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Vahdettin Pavilion. The collaboration aims to leverage Turkey’s mature market and Belgium’s logistical advantages to enhance bilateral trade and investment opportunities in a transforming global economy.
Le SoirTurkey and Belgium Target $15 Billion Bilateral Trade Volume
Turkish Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat announced that Turkey and Belgium aim to increase their bilateral trade volume to $15 billion in a sustainable and balanced manner. Speaking at the Turkey-Belgium Business Forum, organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and attended by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Bolat revealed that trade between the two nations reached $9.3 billion in 2025. He highlighted Belgium's $5 billion investment in Turkey and the presence of 719 Belgian companies as indicators of strong economic trust. The minister identified defense, logistics, and information technologies as key sectors for future cooperation, noting Turkey's rise as a global defense exporter and logistics hub. Bolat emphasized Turkey's strategic location and resilient economy amidst global geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. He also pointed to significant Turkish investments in Belgium, approaching $750 million, particularly in logistics, defense, and manufacturing. The forum underscored the deepening economic ties and shared goals for expanding commercial interactions, leveraging Turkey's industrial ecosystem and Belgium's advanced logistical capabilities to foster mutual growth and stability in international trade.
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