Belgium and Turkey have signed a joint statement aimed at strengthening trade relations during Belgium’s economic mission to Turkey, led by Queen Mathilde.
Foreign Affairs minister Maxime Prévot and Defence and Foreign Trade minister Theo Francken signed the agreement on Monday in Istanbul alongside Turkish Trade minister Öömer Bolat.
The five-day mission has brought more than 400 business leaders, academics and policymakers to Turkey. The signing marked the official start of the visit, which focuses on boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at the opening event, Prévot said the presence of Queen Mathilde highlighted the importance Belgium places on its relationship with Turkey. Turkish minister Bolat said his government wants to attract more foreign investment by offering greater “transparency, predictability and investor protection”.
Bolat also called for Belgian support in modernising the customs union between Turkey and the European Union. The current agreement only covers industrial goods and processed agricultural products.
Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele said economic diplomacy had become increasingly important “amid geopolitical uncertainty, shifting supply chains and rapid technological change”. He added that Belgian companies had travelled to Turkey to discuss concrete partnerships, investments and technology projects.
The trade mission follows Belgium’s wider effort to deepen economic ties with Turkey, one of its largest trading partners outside the EU. Last year, Belgian exports to Turkey reached 6.5 billion euros, while imports totalled 5.6 billion euros.
#FlandersNewsService | Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan © BELGA PHOTO POOL PHILIP REYNAERS