AI-generated illustration

Seven ministers from Belgium and Turkey are meeting in Brussels today to strengthen renewed momentum in bilateral relations, holding their first joint ministerial gathering in 10 years.

The fourth meeting of the two countries' foreign, justice and interior ministers, taking place at the Egmont Palace, aims to deepen political dialogue and advance cooperation on security, justice and migration, according to a written statement from Belgian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Laurens Soenen.

Ministers gather at the Egmont Palace

The fourth meeting of Turkish and Belgian foreign, justice and interior ministers is being held today at the Egmont Palace in Brussels, bringing together seven ministers from the two countries for the first time in 10 years. The Belgian Foreign Ministry said the gathering is meant to reinforce the momentum that has returned to the relationship.

The meeting seeks to strengthen political dialogue with a partner described as vital to Europe and to push cooperation forward in areas that affect citizens directly, including security, justice and migration, the statement said. The talks are expected to give new impetus to cooperation between the two countries' authorities, particularly on justice, security and migration.

The Belgian statement also stressed the depth of economic ties. Turkey has been a candidate for European Union membership and has been in a customs union with the bloc since 1995, and it is closely integrated into European trade and production chains. The ministry identified significant potential for cooperation in industry, defense, energy, innovation and new trade routes.

Relations rest partly on strong links between the two populations. Since an agreement on the employment of Turkish workers was signed in 1964, generations of Turks have contributed to Belgium's economic, social and cultural life, the statement noted.

Belgium points to Turkey's diplomatic reach

The statement described Turkey as holding a distinctive position on the international stage. As a NATO ally, it plays a central role in Black Sea security while maintaining contacts with both Kyiv and Moscow, and it has hosted several rounds of talks between Ukraine and Russia while continuing diplomatic initiatives in the search for a lasting peace.

Turkey's influence also extends to the Middle East, according to the statement. It takes part in diplomatic efforts concerning Gaza and is expected to have an important role in Syria's future, and it has been broadening its political and diplomatic presence beyond its immediate neighbourhood, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

Foreign minister calls for dialogue and a modernized customs union

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said European security cannot be treated seriously without engaging Turkey. "Turkey is an important NATO ally and also a diplomatic actor with contacts and influence in regions that are vital to our security," Prevot said.

Prevot said Turkey can help advance diplomatic solutions ranging from efforts to secure peace in Ukraine to stability in the Middle East, the Black Sea and the Horn of Africa, and noted that political and economic cooperation between the two countries holds significant potential that has not yet been assessed. "We do not agree on every issue, which is precisely why maintaining strong relations and regular dialogue matters," Prevot said.

Stressing the importance of making better use of cooperation opportunities with Turkey, which the statement called a close neighbour, Prevot also called for the customs union to be modernized.

Justice talks to focus on terrorism and organized crime

Talks between the justice ministers are expected to concentrate on the fight against terrorism and organized crime. Because criminal networks operate across borders, the discussions will cover stronger cooperation between judicial authorities within a framework of respect for the rule of law and fundamental legal safeguards, as well as the facilitation of cross-border investigations, the statement said.

Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden noted that organized crime knows no borders, saying criminal networks cooperate internationally, manage cross-border money flows and exploit differences between legal systems. "We must continue to strengthen our international cooperation. Only by joining forces can we disrupt their activities and better protect our society and our economy from the threat posed by organized crime," Verlinden said.

Migration on the agenda and police action plan to be signed

Migration is also on the agenda. The statement described Turkey as an important partner in this area, situated at the intersection of the various migration routes leading to Europe, and said the ministers will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the relevant administrations on migration and consular matters in line with European and international obligations.

Belgian Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt said strengthening ties and sharing experience matters greatly, and welcomed an invitation for the Belgian administration to see Turkey's practices first hand. "This will allow us to further consolidate our cooperation on the ground," Van Bossuyt said.

A new bilateral action plan agreement on police cooperation is to be signed during the meeting. It is intended to strengthen cooperation between the Belgian and Turkish police forces, particularly against organized crime and international criminal networks, and the statement said the deal will turn the two countries' shared resolve to work more closely against threats that cross national borders into concrete steps.

Belgian Security and Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said the two countries already cooperate closely on security and that coordination between police forces will be strengthened as criminal networks become increasingly international. "The new agreement will allow faster information sharing, exchanges of expertise and joint training in the field. Our goal is clear: to protect our citizens better by fighting organized crime faster and more decisively," Quintin said.

The meeting is being attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek and Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, alongside Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, Security and Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt.

Key takeaways

• Seven Turkish and Belgian ministers are meeting at the Egmont Palace in Brussels today, their first joint ministerial session in 10 years.
• Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said European security cannot be addressed seriously without engaging Turkey.
• Justice and interior talks will target terrorism, organized crime and cross-border criminal networks.
• A bilateral action plan agreement on police cooperation is to be signed to speed up information sharing and joint training.