Turkish ministers visit Belgium for EU talks and bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Justice Minister Akın Gürlek were scheduled to depart for Belgium on Monday for a three-day visit. The delegation will hold talks with Belgian counterparts. Fidan will also meet EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

The ministers will attend the fourth meeting of Turkish-Belgian foreign, justice and interior ministers on Tuesday. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot will also attend. The third meeting was held in Ankara 10 years ago. Foreign Ministry sources said Monday that the talks will focus on counterterrorism, the defense industry, consular and visa services, migration, judicial cooperation and law enforcement.

Separately, Fidan will address an event at the European Policy Centre think tank and meet business community representatives. Trade volume between Türkiye and Belgium stood at $9.2 billion in 2025, with the two countries aiming to raise it to $15 billion. Approximately 300,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium serve as an important bridge between the two countries.