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 İzmir.[1] Turkey has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate–general in Antwerp.
Relations between the two countries started in 1837 with the recognition of independent Belgium by the Ottoman Empire. Diplomatic relations were established in 1838.[2]
Belgium and Turkey 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]
Trade volume between Turkey and Belgium has increased remarkably over the years and reached $ 6.886 billion in 2017.[8] In 2017, Belgian exports to Turkey were $ 3.729 billion, whereas Turkish exports to Belgium were $ 3.127 billion.[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]
There are more than 200 Belgian firms operating in Turkey. The value of Belgian investments in Turkey is around $ 320 million. On the other hand, the investment of Turkish companies in Belgium has exceeded $ 8 billion.[8]
In 2017, 419,998 Belgian tourists visited Turkey.[8]
| 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 | ||
| President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Herman De Croo | Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Ankara | November 28–December 1, 2004 | |||
| Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht | Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gül | Ankara | October 30–31, 2006 | ||
| President Abdullah Gül | Brussels | March 25–27, 2009 | [12] | ||
| Prime Minister Yves Leterme | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | Ankara | December 29–30, 2009 | [13] |
The Embassy of Belgium is located in Ankara, Turkey. The Embassy of Turkey is located in Brussels, Belgium.