14.05.2026 20:11
Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot said it's time to renew the Customs Union between the EU and Turkey. Noting that the current system was prepared 30 years ago, Prevot said, "We cannot continue our way of doing business in 2026 with an old framework." Emphasizing that services and agriculture sectors should also be included, Prevot stated that they advocate strengthening economic relations with Turkey.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot made striking statements, emphasizing that the Customs Union between the EU and Turkey needs to be updated. Prevot said, "It is time to renew the Customs Union."
"WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH THE FRAMEWORK FROM 30 YEARS AGO"
Speaking at the Belgium-Turkey Economic Forum held in Ankara, Prevot stated that the current system does not respond to today's trade conditions.
Prevot said, "It is not possible to conduct our business in 2026 with a framework prepared 30 years ago. The world has changed tremendously. During this period, the world may have changed 12 times. Therefore, we strongly advocate for the renewal of the Customs Union."
"CURRENT AGREEMENT IS INSUFFICIENT"
Noting that the Customs Union only covers industrial goods, Prevot said that the services and agriculture sectors are excluded from the agreement.
Emphasizing that updating the agreement would benefit both Turkey and the European Union, Prevot stated that more inclusive economic collaborations are aimed for in the new period.
"BELGIUM SEES TURKEY AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER"
Prevot, stating that they came to Turkey with a broad economic delegation, said this reflects Belgium's importance to Turkey.
Stating that Turkey is not only Istanbul, Prevot said they want to establish strong economic relations with the Anatolia, Black Sea, and Southeastern regions as well.
TARGET TO DOUBLE TRADE VOLUME
Announcing that the trade volume between Belgium and Turkey was approximately 12 billion euros in 2025, Prevot noted that the target is to double this figure. He also stated that the Belgium-Luxembourg-Turkey investment agreement signed in 1986 needs to be updated.