10.08.2026 18:20
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered important messages regarding Turkey-European Union relations at a joint press conference held with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at the Presidential Complex. Erdogan emphasized that steps to be taken by the European Union, particularly the updating of the Customs Union and the visa liberalization dialogue, are in everyone's interest.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at the Presidential Complex.
President Erdogan emphasized that steps to be taken by the European Union, particularly the update of the Customs Union and the visa liberalization dialogue, are in everyone's interest.
Here are the highlights from Erdogan's speech:
In our meetings today, we also emphasized the importance we attach to the peace and prosperity of the Austrian Turkish community. We discussed all aspects of our bilateral relations with the Chancellor. We exchanged views on Turkey-European Union relations, as well as regional and global developments.
"RELATIONS WITH AUSTRIA GAINED MOMENTUM" We are pleased to see the positive momentum we have recently achieved in our relations with Austria also reflected in our economic and commercial ties. We believe that we will increase the trade volume of approximately 4.5 billion dollars achieved in 2025 to our target of 5 billion dollars this year, God willing. More than a thousand Austrian companies operate in our country. Direct investments originating from Austria have exceeded 11 billion dollars. Turkey's investments in Austria are approaching 1 billion dollars. All these figures are the clearest indicator of the potential between us.
"STRATEGIC COOPERATION" MESSAGE In order to further develop these deep-rooted and stable relations, we believe that establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee instead of the existing Joint Economic Commission mechanism would be much more beneficial. Hopefully, we will hold the first meeting of the committee before the end of this year. We have significant cooperation potential with Austria in the fields of green energy, critical minerals, high technology, transportation, and defense industry. We believe that we can jointly realize strategic cooperation of this nature that will demonstrate a common corridor.
"THE UPDATE OF THE CUSTOMS UNION AND VISA LIBERALIZATION ARE IN EVERYONE'S INTEREST" Dear members of the press, today I also conveyed our views and expectations regarding Turkey-European Union relations to the Chancellor. I emphasized that the steps to be taken by the European Union, particularly the update of the Customs Union and the visa liberalization dialogue, are in the interest of us all.
We also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Ensuring Syria's territorial integrity and unity continues to be our priority goal. We attach importance to Austria's contribution to the reconstruction process of Syria. We remain committed to the two-state solution, which is indispensable for lasting peace in the Middle East.
"TURKEY IS A KEY COUNTRY" Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who took the floor after President Erdogan, said, "More than 300,000 people of Turkish origin live in Austria. When we look at economic cooperation, we have very strong cooperation. Turkey is a very important key country regarding migration. It is also so in terms of security."
Austrian Chancellor Stocker's statements are as follows;
"Thank you very much for your invitation to Ankara and for this warm welcome. Relations between Austria and Turkey have a very rich and varied history. At the same time, of course, from today's meetings we saw that we have very close cooperation. Our economic and social relations form the basis of this. Since the 60s, people coming to Austria have actually provided very significant support to the Austrian economy. Currently, more than 300,000 people of Turkish origin live in Austria. They make a great contribution to Austria's economy, culture, and society. Good integration and respectful coexistence are very important, and I support this.
When we look at economic cooperation, we have very strong cooperation. When we look at the branches of Austrian companies in Turkey, as the President mentioned a moment ago, they are involved in investments in Turkey at a very high rate. Despite being in very difficult geopolitical times, we see here that investment in Turkey is actually at a very significant level. We also see that the trade volume is at a very significant level. And in terms of exports from Austria to Turkey, we see that an increase of about 1.2 billion can be achieved by 2030. I think our potential in this regard should be further developed. I would like to state that cross-border cooperation can be carried out, especially regarding railways. And today, business people from the two countries came together and discussed the issues within the scope of a roundtable meeting, exploring cooperation opportunities. But the rule of law, of course, will also be an incentive for additional investment under reliable framework conditions.
Ladies and gentlemen. Turkey is a very key country, especially in terms of security and migration. Both for Austria and for the European Union. Regarding illegal migration, whether it is organized crime or human trafficking, we have very close cooperation with Turkey. In this regard, it holds a very central position for our two countries and for the European Union. We are talking about a large number of Syrian refugees who have been accepted, hosted, and cared for in Turkey for more than 10 years. We see this as a very important, truly commendable act. On the other hand, of course, we think that cooperation on border management is very important. Especially regarding the return of third-country nationals, cooperation with Turkey is extremely important. We have achieved many successes in this regard, but that is not enough. I believe that we can only prevent a new migration crisis by doing this together."
The mistakes of the European Union in past years should not be repeated.
Mr. President, Türkiye is a very important key country. This is also the case in many external security matters. For example, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine must come to an end. We appreciate Türkiye's efforts in this regard. We particularly appreciate your personal efforts. And I would like to state that Austria fully supports you in this matter. When we look at the Middle East soon, we see that Türkiye's voice carries weight. I thank you again for your efforts in this regard. We see that diplomacy and dialogue are indeed the only solution in the Middle East, especially for eliminating the spiral of violence. And the permanent opening of the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring freedom of navigation are very important, and we agree on this matter. Finally, as Austria, we would like to state that we are a country that, as a center of dialogue and with our position within the United Nations Security Council, can engage in constructive and pragmatic dialogue in the coming period as well. The rule of law and freedom of the press are, of course, non-negotiable. This is naturally not surprising. On the other hand, our position, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, is very clear and precise within the framework of international law and the rule of law. Our position here is also clear. On the other hand, of course, I consider the European Union issue to be important for further developing matters related to Austria. Mr. President, I thank you very, very much for your hospitality and for our dialogue on this matter. And I believe that pragmatic cooperation between our two countries has become far more important than it was in the past. Thank you very much.