Queen Mathilde of Belgium is visiting Türkiye from May 10-14 as part of an "Economic Mission" alongside a high-level delegation aimed at boosting trade and investment ties between Brussels and Ankara.
The queen arrived in Istanbul on Sunday and was welcomed by Turkish officials.
The aircraft carrying the Belgian delegation landed at Istanbul Airport, where the queen and accompanying officials were welcomed by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and other officials.
The delegation includes Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, Defense Minister Theo Francken, who is also responsible for foreign trade, Brussels-Capital Region Minister-President Boris Dillies, Flemish Region Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Walloon Region Vice-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet.
A total of 428 representatives from the private sector are also taking part in the visit.
The visit is expected to demonstrate the shared willingness of both countries to further strengthen Türkiye-Belgium ties, which have recently gained momentum, particularly through the diversification of cooperation areas and the comprehensive expansion of economic and trade relations.
Within the framework of the mission, investment and business opportunities are expected to be explored in key sectors including energy, defense industry, aviation, logistics, health and life sciences, banking, technology and digitalization.
The program is also expected to include company visits, bilateral meetings and business-to-business (B2B) contacts between firms from the two countries.
The Türkiye-Belgium Economic Forum is also scheduled to be held during the visit, while intergovernmental agreements and documents in the fields of defense, aviation and social security are expected to be signed alongside agreements between private sector representatives.
The mission is also expected to highlight the achievements of the Turkish community in Belgium, which has become an integral part of Belgian society and contributes significantly to the country’s economic and social life.
Ministers participating in the delegation are expected to meet with their Turkish counterparts, while the delegation will also hold contacts with various public and private sector representatives in Istanbul and Ankara.
Türkiye-Belgium relations
Relations between Türkiye and Belgium, which have traditionally remained at a positive level, have gained further momentum in light of recent regional and global developments, with contacts aimed at closer cooperation increasing in recent years.
Talks between the two countries have focused on evaluating cooperation opportunities in areas expected to shape the future of bilateral ties, including economy and trade, defense, energy and connectivity, while also strengthening cooperation within NATO and the European Union in the face of common challenges.
The bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Belgium reached $9.2 billion (TL 417.20 billion) in 2025, including $5 billion in Turkish exports and $4.2 billion in imports.
Belgian investments in Türkiye totaled $9.3 billion between 2002 and January 2026, while Turkish investments in Belgium amounted to $490 million during the same period.
Around 300,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium serve as an important bridge between the two countries and make notable contributions to Belgium’s economic and social life.
'New phase' in ties
Commenting on the visit, Türkiye's Ambassador to Brussels Görkem Barış Tantekin said on Saturday that the mission marks a new phase in bilateral relations.
"It can be said that this upcoming economic visit, taking place for the first time in 14 years, represents the beginning of a new phase under different conditions and within the framework of renewed relations," Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted him as saying.
Tantekin noted that Belgium, as a founding member of the EU and a NATO ally, approaches its ties with Türkiye from a strategic perspective.
He added that the Belgian delegation will begin its visit with field visits to Turkish defense industry companies in Ankara and Istanbul, highlighting the importance of cooperation in this sector.
The mission will focus on strategic sectors, including energy, defense industries, space, aviation, as well as logistics and transportation, which Tantekin said are key to shaping future economic and geopolitical developments.
He said Türkiye's priorities include advancing trade relations, building joint partnerships in third countries, and addressing broader issues such as updating the Customs Union with the EU and enhancing integration in value chains.
Tantekin also described the visit as a significant political opportunity to redefine relations with the EU and NATO within a broader strategic framework.
Belgium’s Economic Mission visits
Belgium’s "Economic Mission” visits, organized twice a year, are regarded as one of the country’s most significant economic diplomacy initiatives with a strong political dimension.
The missions typically feature a range of events centered on key sectors of bilateral economic relations with the host country and aim to promote concrete cooperation opportunities.
Belgium previously organized an Economic Mission visit to Türkiye in 2012. The mission at the time was led by King Philippe, then crown prince, while Queen Mathilde accompanied him as Princess Mathilde.