Belgium and Türkiye resumed ministerial talks in Brussels on Oct. 20 after a 10-year gap, seeking closer cooperation against cross-border crime while acknowledging differences over rights and the rule of law.
Belgium said before the meeting that it expected the talks to lead to a bilateral police action plan. Belgian Security and Home Affairs Minister Bernard Quintin said the plan would speed up police information exchanges and provide for shared training. Belgium cited criminal networks operating across borders as the reason for closer coordination and said citizens would benefit from better protection.
Seven ministers took part. Belgium was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, Quintin and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt. Türkiye sent Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek and Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of the meeting that the agenda included counterterrorism, judicial and police cooperation, consular affairs, visas and migration, along with regional and international developments. Belgium said closer judicial cooperation would remain subject to the rule of law and basic legal protections.
The countries last used this ministerial format in Ankara on March 9, 2016. Their joint statement from that meeting recorded discussions about migration and extradition requests involving terrorism cases. Fidan and Prévot met ahead of the wider talks on Oct. 19.
Belgium pointed to Türkiye’s role in Black Sea security and its contacts with Kyiv and Moscow as reasons for deeper dialogue. Prévot also cited Ankara’s diplomatic activity in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Belgium said differences over human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law remained part of the relationship.
Economic ties have continued between the ministerial meetings. Belgium’s Foreign Ministry said a May mission to Türkiye produced 33 agreements between companies. At an Oct. 13 business summit in Brussels, Prévot called for an update to the European Union-Türkiye customs union.
