High-Level Economic Dialogue between Turkey and EU Resumes after Six Years

According to information provided to AA by the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the establishment of the HLED mechanism was decided during the Turkey-EU Summit on November 29, 2015, to develop dialogue channels between Turkey and the EU. Three meetings were held within this framework in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Turkey hosted the first and third meetings, while Belgium hosted the second.

Most recently, the revival of the dialogue was decided at the EU General Affairs Council meeting in December 2024. This decision was also approved at the EU Heads of State and Government Summit, making it official.

As part of this new phase, the first meeting will take place in Brussels on April 3.

The opening speeches will be delivered by Minister Şimşek, EU Commissioner for Economy and Efficiency Valdis Dombrovskis, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The meeting is significant for accelerating economic relations and deepening strategic cooperation between the two sides.

Financial Giants to Attend

The meeting will consist of two main sessions. The first session will focus on the macroeconomic outlook of Turkey and the EU, steps that can be taken in the field of competitiveness, and structural reforms. This session will be co-chaired by Minister Şimşek and Commissioner Dombrovskis.

In the second session, leading representatives from the business communities of Turkey and the EU will meet with ministers and commissioners to evaluate joint investment and trade opportunities.

High-level executives from European financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Development Council Bank will also attend.

Minister Şimşek is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Dombrovskis and Kos during the sessions. The future of relations and potential areas of cooperation will be discussed in these talks.

"Ready for Stronger and Multi-Dimensional Cooperation with the EU"

Minister Şimşek expressed that he sees the resumption of the meetings after six years as a valuable step toward revitalizing Turkey-EU relations, stating, "As someone who co-chaired the first meeting held in 2016, I am pleased that this platform is being reactivated."

Emphasizing that EU membership remains a strategic goal for Turkey, Şimşek noted that approximately 42% of Turkey's exports go to EU countries, and Turkey is the EU's fifth-largest trade partner.

He pointed out that the growing protectionist trends in global trade, along with developments in e-commerce, digitalization, and the green transition, require an updated trade framework. He added:

"Updating the Customs Union to include public procurement, services, and agriculture sectors, providing visa facilitation for businessmen and students, and developing joint projects in third countries present significant opportunities for Turkey-EU cooperation. With our competencies and capabilities in areas ranging from defense to energy, agriculture to manufacturing, we are ready for stronger and multi-dimensional cooperation with the EU."