Belgium–Turkey relations
Belgium–Turkey relations
 Belgium |  Turkey |
|---|
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]_Pictures,_documents_and_external_sites/09)_Publications/%20KBS%E2%80%A2Belgian-Turks%20GB_All%20in(1).pdf)[4]Website_static_Content/Enews/International_newsletter_7(May_2008).pdf) 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]
Economic relations
Trade volume between Turkey and Belgium has increased remarkably over the years and reached € 3 billion.[6] 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.[6] Belgium is the seventeenth largest trade partner of Turkey.[7]
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.[6]
In 2008, more than 583,409 Belgian tourists visited Turkey.[7]
Visits
| Guest | Host | Place of visit | Date of visit | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Abdullah Gül | Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt | Brussels | February 17, 2003 | [9] |
| 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 | [10] |
| Prime Minister Yves Leterme | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | Ankara | December 29–30, 2009 | [11] |
See also
Foreign relations of Turkey
Foreign relations of Belgium
Turks in Belgium