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Türkiye and EU discuss trade integration and Customs Union modernization
During the third EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Trade held in Brussels on October 13, 2026, officials and business leaders discussed deepening economic integration and modernizing the Customs Union. Co-chaired by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, the meeting highlighted a record bilateral trade volume of 233 billion dollars reached in 2025.
Key outcomes included the approval of mutual recognition for Authorized Economic Operator status and confirmation of Türkiye's full compliance with the new EU Machinery Regulation. Discussions also addressed the need to modernize the 30-year-old Customs Union to include sectors like e-commerce, services, and agriculture.
Business leaders and diplomats emphasized Türkiye's role as a strategic industrial partner and a reliable link in European supply chains. Concerns were raised regarding the EU's 'Made in EU' industrial regulations, with Turkish representatives advocating for Türkiye to be recognized as a partner within the European industrial ecosystem to ensure supply chain resilience.
Entities
Belgium · DEİK · European Union · FEB · Maros Šefčovič · Maxime Prévot · Turkey · Türkiye · Türkiye-Belçika Yüksek Düzeyli Yuvarlak Masa Toplantısı · Ömer Bolat
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Belgium's Foreign Minister stated Türkiye has the production capacity to help make European supply chains more resilient. alkuwaitnews.net · alsaudi.news
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Türkiye requested that the EU consider the unique structure of the Türkiye-EU Customs Union in new regulations.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Türkiye aims to increase bilateral trade with Belgium from 9.2 billion dollars in 2025 to 15 billion dollars. cukurovagazetesi.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Türkiye seeks legal assurance to be recognized as a partner country under the EU's 'Made in EU' industrial regulations. www.haberaktuel.com
- [DISPUTED] The trade volume between Türkiye and the EU exceeded 1 trillion dollars in the last five years. www.dunya.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Türkiye's automotive trade accounts for approximately 26 percent of its total trade with the EU. www.haberaktuel.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] DEIK President Nail Olpak stated that modernizing the Customs Union would create new opportunities for both sides. www.europesays.com · www.aksam.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Two-thirds of foreign companies in Türkiye are backed by EU capital. www.dunya.com · www.odatv.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The third EU-Türkiye High Level Dialogue on Trade was held on 13 October 2026 in Brussels. www.avrupagazete.co.uk · europeansting.com · www.sondakika.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The parties approved the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator status. www.avrupagazete.co.uk · europeansting.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.sondakika.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Türkiye confirmed full compliance with the new EU Machinery Regulation. www.avrupagazete.co.uk · europeansting.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.sondakika.com
- [DISPUTED] The bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and the EU reached a record 233 billion dollars in 2025. www.avrupagazete.co.uk · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.sondakika.com