Belgian queen leads major trade mission to Türkiye

A high-level Belgian economic delegation, led by Queen Mathilde and including senior ministers and nearly 430 business representatives, will arrive in Türkiye on Sunday to deepen cooperation in trade, defense, and strategic industries. The five-day mission, which runs through next Thursday, will visit Istanbul and Ankara, according to a statement from the Belgian Foreign Ministry.

Strong delegation and strategic sectors

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, along with Defense and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken, will accompany the queen. The delegation comprises 428 participants representing 194 companies, 17 trade federations, eight universities, and several public institutions. Prevot stated: “The world has changed. Our companies must be present where the opportunities lie, and today those opportunities also lie in Türkiye.” He described Türkiye as “a market of 85 million consumers, a NATO ally, a Customs Union partner with the EU and a country undergoing rapid transformation.”

Defense, trade, and bilateral agreements

Francken noted that annual bilateral trade currently stands at approximately €8 billion ($9 billion). The mission will focus on five strategic areas: green energy transition, aerospace and defense, ports and logistics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and digital technologies. In Ankara, Belgian defense firms will present their capabilities and explore joint projects with Turkish counterparts. The delegation is expected to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Trade Minister Omer Bolat, and Defense Minister Yasar Guler. Several bilateral agreements, including in defense and social security, are anticipated to be signed during the visit.