Belgian foreign minister says Türkiye a key partner for Brussels

Describing Türkiye as one of Belgium's most important partners, the Belgian foreign minister on Thursday highlighted the strong bond formed by a vibrant Turkish-origin community.

Bernard Quintin, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the capital, Ankara, said, "Türkiye is one of Belgium's most important partners," citing a sizable Turkish community in Belgium, which strengthens ties between the two countries.

They commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Türkiye-Belgium Labor Agreement in 2024, Quintin said, adding, "Today, Turkish Belgians are an important part of our society and country."

The Turkish community has gained recognition not only in civil society but also in the political sphere in Belgium, he said, adding, "We have several mayors. We have several ministers also of Turkish origin.

"So it shows how, in actually a very short time, the Turkish community has really been integrated into the Belgian system, and that's why I think it's important that we maintain this regular dialog that we have between our two countries at all levels."

He pointed out that trade volume between Brussels and Ankara has reached €12 billion (approximately $12.31 billion), with Türkiye ranking as Belgium's fourth-largest trading partner outside of the EU.

"So that's very important for us, but I know that we can still do better than that," he remarked.

The top diplomat reaffirmed Belgium's support for Türkiye's EU accession process and the modernization of the Customs Union. "You can count on an update of the customs unions that will be a win-win for both sides."

"You can also count on us as a candidate country to support you on this path," he said, emphasizing the importance of a...