Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on Monday highlighted the rapidly growing economic and technological partnership between Belgium and T\u00fcrkiye, stating that the two nations possess \u201chighly complementary strengths\u201d across multiple strategic sectors.<\/p>\n
Queen\u2019s mission signals strong ties<\/p>\n
Speaking at the opening of a Belgian Economic Mission to T\u00fcrkiye led by Queen Mathilde, Prevot said the queen\u2019s participation reflected the importance Brussels places on its relationship with Ankara. \u201cThis is not a small detail,\u201d Prevot said. \u201cIt tells you more eloquently than any speech the importance Belgium attaches to its relationship with T\u00fcrkiye.\u201d He noted that bilateral ties are built on nearly two centuries of political, economic, and diplomatic cooperation, while also acknowledging the role of the Turkish diaspora in Belgium.<\/p>\n
Five key sectors for cooperation<\/p>\n
Prevot identified five sectors with strong potential for deeper collaboration: green energy transition, aerospace and defense, ports and logistics, life sciences and biotechnology, and digital transformation. \u201cThese are not random sectors,\u201d he said, adding that both countries possess \u201cworld-class expertise and innovation.\u201d He reported that Belgian exports to T\u00fcrkiye reached \u20ac6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in 2025, driven mainly by pharmaceuticals and chemicals, while Turkish exports to Belgium totaled \u20ac5.6 billion ($6.5 billion), led by vehicles and base metals. \u201cBelgium is also the eighth most important investor in T\u00fcrkiye,\u201d he said, welcoming increasing Turkish investments in Belgium, including projects expected to create hundreds of jobs.<\/p>\n
Customs Union and joint declaration<\/p>\n
Prevot underlined the importance of the EU-T\u00fcrkiye Customs Union in connecting Turkish industry to European value chains, stressing that trade was \u201conly one part of the story.\u201d Flemish Region Minister-President Matthias Diependaele described T\u00fcrkiye as a \u201cstrategic partner for the future,\u201d citing growing cooperation in logistics, advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and technology. \u201cThis mission sends a clear message. We are here with ambition, confidence, and a strong business mindset,\u201d Diependaele said, noting that more than 500 business leaders attended the mission. At the Belgium-T\u00fcrkiye Business Forum, a Joint Declaration on the Development of Bilateral Trade Relations was signed by Turkish Trade Minister \u00d6mer Bolat, Belgian Foreign Minister Prevot, and Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken. T\u00fcrkiye continues to strengthen its economic and diplomatic footprint in Europe, with Brussels recognizing Ankara\u2019s growing role as a key trade and investment partner.<\/p>\n
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