President Erdoğan highlights renewed momentum in Türkiye-EU relations

Monday 11 May 2026 - 14:15

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that ongoing geopolitical developments are reinforcing the strategic importance of stronger ties between Türkiye and the European Union.

Speaking during a meeting with Queen Mathilde in Istanbul, Erdoğan emphasized the need to modernize the customs union agreement between Türkiye and the EU, describing it as an essential step toward revitalizing Türkiye’s long-standing membership ambitions.

The discussions focused on bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and Belgium, as well as broader regional and international issues. Turkish officials noted that both countries see opportunities to expand collaboration in several strategic sectors, including trade, defense industries, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Erdoğan also underlined that Türkiye’s participation in European defense initiatives could bring benefits to all parties involved. As a key member of NATO, Türkiye continues to play an important role in regional security and diplomatic efforts.

The Turkish president highlighted Ankara’s growing international engagement, noting that the country is preparing to host major global gatherings later this year, including the NATO leaders summit and the COP31 climate conference. According to Erdoğan, these events demonstrate Türkiye’s expanding influence in diplomacy, security, and climate-related discussions.

Energy transition was another major topic during the meeting. Erdoğan stressed that cooperation on green energy projects could become a significant pillar of relations between Türkiye and Belgium. He added that Türkiye has made substantial investments in renewable energy and is now considered one of Europe’s leading countries in installed renewable energy capacity.

The Turkish leader also expressed hope that Queen Mathilde’s meetings with representatives of the Turkish business community would encourage new investment opportunities and strengthen economic partnerships between the two nations.