The key facts

  • The meeting will take place on October 20 in Brussels; the previous round was held in Ankara in 2016
  • Turkey will be represented by Fidan, Çiftçi and Gürlek, Belgium by Prévot, Kenten, Vermeulen and Van Bossuyt
  • Trade turnover in 2025 amounted to $9.2 billion, with the parties aiming for $15 billion

Ministerial meeting in Brussels

The fourth ministerial meeting between Turkey and Belgium will take place on Tuesday, October 20, in Brussels. According to sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, three Turkish ministers — Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Justice Minister Akin Gürlek — will visit Belgium from October 19 to 21. Belgium will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden and Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt.

Agenda of the meeting

The previous round of the meeting was held in Ankara in 2016. This time the sides will discuss bilateral cooperation, primarily counterterrorism, judicial and police cooperation, the defense industry, consular matters, visas and migration. The ministers will also exchange views on regional and international topics.

Other events during Fidan's visit

During the visit, Fidan will hold bilateral meetings with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He will also speak at the European Policy Centre think tank and meet with business community representatives.

Context of bilateral relations

The intensification of high-level contacts in recent years has contributed to the development of cooperation between the countries. In May, from the 10th to the 14th, Queen Mathilde of Belgium made an economy-focused visit to Turkey accompanied by a delegation that included the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the minister of defense and foreign trade, as well as heads of regional governments. Trade turnover between the countries in 2025 reached $9.2 billion, and the sides aim to increase it to $15 billion. About 300,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium serve as an important bridge between the two countries.