Belgium–Turkey relations

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Belgian–Turkish relations
Map indicating locations of Belgium and Turkey

Belgium
Turkey

Belgian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Belgium and Turkey. Belgium has an embassy in Ankara, a consulate–general in Istanbul and two consulates in Antalya and İzmir.[1] Turkey has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate–general in Antwerp.

History

Relations between the two countries started in 1837 with the recognition of independent Belgium by the Ottoman Empire. Diplomatic relations were established in 1838.[2]

Political relations

Belgium and Turkey are both members of the

European Union member and Turkey is a candidate
.

The approximately 230,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium constitute an important aspect in Turkey's relations with Belgium.[3][4] They come predominantly from the Emirdağ district, located in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.

In March 2019, the Turkish foreign ministry summoned the Belgian ambassador, Michel Malherbe, and relayed Turkey's unease after a Belgian court blocked the prosecution of some 30 people with alleged links to the

Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).[5]

Belgium condemned the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria and called on Turkey to halt it immediately.[6] The Belgian government later decided to implement an arms embargo against Turkey.[7]

Economic relations

Trade volume between Turkey and Belgium has increased remarkably over the years and reached $ 6.886 billion in 2017.[8] In 2017, Belgian exports to Turkey were $ 3.729 billion, whereas Turkish exports to Belgium were $ 3.127 billion.[8] Belgium is the seventeenth largest trade partner of Turkey.[9]

The Turkish–Belgian Business Council, and organisations with similar aims, give priority to promoting commercial linkages. This council was established in 1990.[10]

There are more than 200 Belgian firms operating in Turkey. The value of Belgian investments in Turkey is around $ 320 million. On the other hand, the investment of Turkish companies in Belgium has exceeded $ 8 billion.[8]

In 2017, 419,998 Belgian tourists visited Turkey.[8]

The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Belgium stood at $8.66 billion in 2023 (Turkish exports 4.36 billion US Dollars; imports 4.3 billion US Dollars). Main items of Turkey's exports to Belgium are motor vehicles and parts, textile products, machinery and equipment, plastic, whilst main items of Turkey's imports from Belgium are chemical products, plastic, metals, machinery and equipment, vehicles parts.[11]

In 2023, around 597 thousand Belgium tourists visited Turkey.[11]

Visits

Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit Reference
Prime Minister Abdullah Gül Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Brussels February 17, 2003 [12]
Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ankara and Istanbul November 2–4, 2003 [2]
President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Herman De Croo
Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey Bülent Arınç
 Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Ankara November 28–December 1, 2004 [2]
Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Abdullah Gül 		Ankara October 30–31, 2006 [2]
President Abdullah Gül King Albert II Brussels March 25–27, 2009 [13]
Prime Minister Yves Leterme Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ankara December 29–30, 2009 [14]

Embassies

The Embassy of Belgium is located in Ankara, Turkey. The Embassy of Turkey is located in Brussels, Belgium.

See also

References

  1. ^ Belgian Foreign Policy: Bilateral relations / Southeast Europe / Turkey
  2. ^ a b c d Turkey´s Political Relations with Belgium / Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  3. ^ King Baudouin Foundation. "Belgian-Turks A Bridge or a Breach between Turkey and the European Union?" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  4. ^ King Baudouin Foundation. "Turkish communities and the EU" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  5. ^ Tulay Karadeniz and Philip Blenkinsop (March 11, 2019), Turkish foreign ministry summons Belgium's ambassador in Ankara Reuters.
  6. ^ "Didier Reynders condemns the Turkish operation in Northeast Syria". Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  7. ^ Brzozowski, Alexandra (2019-10-14). "EU condemns Turkey's military action, stops short of common arms embargo". www.euractiv.com. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  8. ^ a b c d Commercial and Economic Relations between Türkiye and Belgium, Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  9. ^ Türkiye–Belçika Ticari ve Ekonomik İlişkileri / T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (in Turkish)
  10. ^ "Turkish - Belgian Business Council"[usurped], Turkey-Now, accessed 23 July 2009.
  11. ^ a b "Commercial and Economic Relations between Türkiye and Belgium / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.mfa.gov.tr. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  12. ^ Belçika Başbakanı Abdullah Gül'ün Gönlünü Aldı Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine (in Turkish)
  13. ^ "President Gül Meets King Albert II of Belgium". Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  14. ^ Belgian Prime Minister Leterme arrives in Turkey, Zaman, December 29, 2009
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