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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 Izmir.[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 1848.[2]

Political relations

Turkey and Belgium 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.[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 € 3 billion.[8] In 2006, Belgian exports to Turkey increased by 9,4% (€ 1,88 billion), whereas Turkish exports to Belgium increased 6,8% (€ 1,06 billion) comparing to 2005.[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] Small and medium size businesses play an important role in the economies of Turkey and Belgium.[8]

There are more than 200 Belgian firms operating in Turkey. The value of Belgian investments in Turkey is around € 300 million. On the other hand, the investment of Turkish companies in Belgium has exceeded € 1 billion.[8]

In 2008, more than 583,409 Belgian tourists visited Turkey.[9]

Visits

2012 Summit:

In April 4-5, 2012, a significant diplomatic event took place when Mr. Didier Reynders, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium, visited Turkey in response to an invitation from Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. During this summit, discussions centered around various crucial topics, including Turkey's relationship with the European Union, collaborative efforts against terrorism, the Cyprus issue, and broader regional and international matters.[1]

2015 State Visit:

A historic moment occurred on October 4-6, 2015, as the President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, embarked on the first-ever state visit from Turkey to Belgium. This visit marked a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations, highlighting the importance of the relationship between Turkey and Belgium.[2]

2016 Third Trilateral Meeting:

The first and second trilateral meetings at ministerial level were held in 2008 (İstanbul) and in 2013 (Brussels).On March 9, 2016,[3] the third meeting of the Turkey-Belgium Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Interior took place in Ankara. Discussions during this meeting encompassed a wide range of subjects, including anti-terrorism efforts, collaboration in legal and law enforcement matters, consular affairs, and both regional and global developments. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu and Belgian Foreign Minister Reynders expressed mutual satisfaction over the continuous growth of bilateral relations in accordance with shared perspectives and interests. Moreover, both ministers exchanged thoughts on regional developments and the ongoing relationship between Turkey and the European Union.

Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit Reference
Prime Minister Abdullah Gül Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Brussels February 17, 2003 [11]
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 [12]
Prime Minister Yves Leterme Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ankara December 29–30, 2009 [13]

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 Turkey´s Commercial and Economic Relations with Belgium / Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  9. ^ a b Türkiye–Belçika Ticari ve Ekonomik İlişkileri / T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (in Turkish)
  10. ^ "Turkish - Belgian Business Council", Turkey-Now, accessed 23 July 2009.
  11. ^ Belçika Başbakanı Abdullah Gül'ün Gönlünü Aldı Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine (in Turkish)
  12. ^ "President Gül Meets King Albert II of Belgium". Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  13. ^ Belgian Prime Minister Leterme arrives in Turkey, Zaman, December 29, 2009
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