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Turkey-Belgium bilateral diplomatic relations

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2026-10-20 02:07 UTC → 2026-10-20 15:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Diplomatic engagement between Turkey and Belgium has intensified through high-level ministerial visits to Brussels. Initially, Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan met with diplomats, business leaders, and the Turkish diaspora to discuss economic ties and the importance of the community in Belgium. This engagement expanded into a broader ministerial delegation including the Foreign, Interior, and Justice Ministers. This high-level meeting, the first of its kind since 2016, focuses on a wide range of cooperation areas such as counter-terrorism, judicial and police coordination, migration, and the defense industry. Additionally, officials aim to increase bilateral trade volume from $9.2 billion to $15 billion, with the Turkish Foreign Minister scheduled to meet with EU and NATO leadership. Between October 19 and 21, 2026, a high-level Turkish delegation—including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, and Justice Minister Akın Gürlek—is participating in the fourth Turkey-Belgium Ministerial Meeting in Brussels. This summit, the first of its kind in ten years, involves Belgian counterparts including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt. The agenda covers strategic cooperation in counter-terrorism, judicial and police collaboration, the defense industry, migration management, visa processes, and consular services. Specifically, the summit at Egmont Palace addresses cooperation regarding groups such as the PKK and FETÖ. Minister Akın Gürlek emphasized the necessity for Belgium to take “concrete measures against FETÖ activities within its borders.” Foreign Minister Fidan is also scheduled for separate discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to further strengthen ties and work toward the $15 billion bilateral trade target.

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