Türkiye strengthens transport and investment cooperation with Belgium

Monday 11 May 2026 - 14:00

Türkiye has emphasized the importance of strengthening transport connectivity and expanding investment cooperation with Belgium amid growing geopolitical and global supply chain challenges.

During a high-level economic meeting held in Istanbul and attended by Queen Mathilde along with a Belgian delegation, Turkish officials highlighted the strategic role of infrastructure projects in facilitating international trade and economic growth.

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu called for deeper bilateral cooperation in sectors such as transportation, technology, trade, and defense. He stressed that alternative trade routes are becoming increasingly important as geopolitical tensions and logistical disruptions continue to affect global commerce.

Türkiye continues to position itself as a major regional logistics hub linking Europe and Asia. Turkish officials noted that the country provides access within a four-hour flight radius to dozens of nations representing a significant share of global economic activity.

Particular attention was given to the “Middle Corridor,” a strategic trade route connecting Asia and Europe through Türkiye. Major infrastructure components of this corridor include the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Marmaray rail tunnel beneath the Bosphorus Strait.

Turkish authorities also highlighted the Development Road Project, a major highway and railway corridor involving Iraq, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Türkiye. The initiative aims to improve regional connectivity and create alternative trade pathways linking the Gulf region with Europe.

Officials stated that the project could offer an additional route for global trade beyond heavily used maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz, whose strategic importance has grown amid regional instability.

Türkiye additionally announced plans to invest approximately $8 billion in a new railway line on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge to help reduce transportation congestion in Istanbul and improve freight capacity.

Environmental sustainability was also discussed during the meeting. Turkish officials noted that while maritime shipping accounts for the majority of global trade, expanding railway infrastructure may provide a faster path toward reducing carbon emissions in transportation networks.

The discussions concluded with agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and Belgium in maritime and railway sectors, reflecting broader efforts to deepen economic ties between the two countries.