Belgium–Turkey 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.Belgian Foreign Policy: Bilateral relations / Southeast Europe / Turkey 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.Turkey´s Political Relations with Belgium / Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Political relations Belgium and Turkey are both members of the Council of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Union for the Mediterranean. Also Belgium is a 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. 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).Tulay Karadeniz and Philip Blenkinsop (March 11, 2019), Turkish foreign ministry summons Belgium's ambassador in Ankara Reuters.
Belgium condemned the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria and called on Turkey to halt it immediately. The Belgian government later decided to implement an arms embargo against Turkey.
Economic relations Trade volume between Turkey and Belgium has increased remarkably over the years and reached $ 6.886 billion in 2017.Commercial and Economic Relations between Türkiye and Belgium, Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs In 2017, Belgian exports to Turkey were $ 3.729 billion, whereas Turkish exports to Belgium were $ 3.127 billion. Belgium is the seventeenth largest trade partner of Turkey.Türkiye–Belçika Ticari ve Ekonomik İlişkileri / T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı
The Turkish–Belgian Business Council, and organisations with similar aims, give priority to promoting commercial linkages. This council was established in 1990., Turkey-Now, accessed 23 July 2009.
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.
In 2017, 419,998 Belgian tourists visited Turkey.
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.
In 2023, around 597 thousand Belgium tourists visited Turkey.
Visits
Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit Reference Prime Minister Abdullah Gül Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Brussels February 17, 2003 Belçika Başbakanı Abdullah Gül'ün Gönlünü Aldı Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ankara and Istanbul November 2–4, 2003 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 Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gül Ankara October 30–31, 2006 President Abdullah Gül King Albert II Brussels March 25–27, 2009 Prime Minister Yves Leterme Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ankara December 29–30, 2009 Belgian Prime Minister Leterme arrives in Turkey, Zaman, December 29, 2009
Embassies The Embassy of Belgium is located in Ankara, Turkey. The Embassy of Turkey is located in Brussels, Belgium.
See also Foreign relations of Belgium Foreign relations of Turkey Turkey–EU relations Accession of Turkey to the EU NATO-EU relations Turks in Belgium Turks in Europe
References
External links Embassy of Turkey in Brussels Consulate–General of Turkey in Antwerp Embassy of Belgium in Turkey Diplomatic missions of Belgium in Turkey Diplomatic missions of Turkey in Belgium