Türkiye, Belgium to hold 4th ministerial meeting in Brussels on Tuesday
- Ministers to discuss counterterrorism, judicial and police cooperation, defense industry, visa and migration issues
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- Ministers to discuss counterterrorism, judicial and police cooperation, defense industry, visa and migration issues
By Gokhan Celiker and Busra Nur Cakmak
ANKARA (AA) - The fourth Türkiye-Belgium ministerial meeting will be held on Tuesday in Brussels, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci, and Justice Minister Akin Gurlek attending.
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, the three ministers will visit Belgium from Oct. 19 to 21 to participate in the meeting scheduled for Oct. 20.
Belgium will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt.
The fourth round of the ministerial meeting, last held in Ankara in 2016, will address bilateral cooperation, particularly counterterrorism, judicial and police cooperation, the defense industry, consular affairs, visas, and migration.
The ministers will also exchange views on regional and international issues.
During his visit to Belgium, Fidan is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
He is also expected to deliver a speech at the European Policy Centre think tank and meet with representatives of the business community.
- Bilateral relations
Increasing high-level contacts between Türkiye and Belgium in recent years have contributed to the development and deepening of bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Most recently, Belgium's Queen Mathilde paid an economy-focused visit to Türkiye on May 10-14, accompanied by a delegation that included the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the defense and foreign trade minister, as well as the heads of regional governments.
Trade volume between Türkiye and Belgium reached $9.2 billion in 2025, with the two countries aiming to increase the figure to $15 billion.
Approximately 300,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium also serve as an important bridge between the two countries.
Büşra Nur Çakmak