10.05.2026 17:37
Queen Mathilde of Belgium arrived in Turkey from May 10 to 14 with a large delegation of 428 private sector representatives and high-level politicians. During the "Economic Mission" visit, investment and cooperation opportunities in many sectors, particularly energy, defense, aviation, technology, and logistics, will be evaluated. New agreements are also expected to be on the agenda during the meetings in Istanbul and Ankara.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium will carry out a critical "Economic Mission" visit to Turkey today. The Queen will be accompanied by a large delegation including ministers, regional government prime ministers, and a total of 428 private sector representatives.
According to information obtained from Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources, the delegation will include Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot, Minister of Defense Theo Francken, Brussels-Capital Region Government Prime Minister Boris Dillies, Flemish Region Government Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele, and Deputy Prime Minister of the Walloon Region Government Pierre-Yves Jeholet.
A NEW ERA IN TURKEY-BELGIUM RELATIONS
The visit aims to further strengthen Turkey-Belgium relations, which have gained momentum recently. During the meetings, which will comprehensively address economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries, new investment opportunities and joint projects will be discussed.
DEFENSE, ENERGY, AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE AGENDA
Within the scope of the Economic Mission, collaboration opportunities in critical sectors such as energy, defense industry, aviation, logistics, health, banking, technology, and digitalization will be evaluated.
During the programs to be held in Istanbul and Ankara, company visits will be conducted, bilateral business meetings will be organized, and contacts will be established for new agreements between companies.
TURKEY-BELGIUM ECONOMIC FORUM TO BE HELD
A Turkey-Belgium Economic Forum will also be held as part of the visit. The forum plans to sign intergovernmental agreements in defense, aviation, and social security fields, as well as fostering cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.
It will also be emphasized that approximately 300,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium serve as an important bridge in the economic and social relations between the two countries.
TRADE VOLUME OF $9.2 BILLION
The trade volume between Turkey and Belgium reached $9.2 billion in 2025. In the same period, Belgium's investment in Turkey amounted to $9.3 billion, while Turkish companies' investments in Belgium were recorded at $490 million.
Belgium's "Economic Mission" visits, held twice a year, are among the country's most important economic diplomacy activities. The last similar visit to Turkey took place in 2012.