President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Belgium on 4-6 October 2015 upon the invitation of King Philippe of Belgium. The main items on the agenda of the visit of President Erdoğan to Belgium have been composed of Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, the visa liberalisation dialogue, the fight against terrorism and the latest developments as regards the Syrian crisis and the ongoing refugee crisis which concerns closely the EU.

On 5 October 2015, Erdoğan President Erdoğan attended to the official ceremony by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on 5 October 2015 at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Following the ceremony, President Erdoğan attended a High Level Business Meeting organised by the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB) and addressed the business community in that respect. Underlining the positive transformation of Turkish economy, Erdoğan mentioned that Turkey is currently the 17^th largest economy in the world and the first in terms of agricultural production in Europe and the 7^th in the world in that regard. President Erdoğan highlighted that Turkey’s first priority and strategic interest in the international arena is to become a member of the EU. Furthermore, he stressed that remaining political obstacles towards the opening of new chapters should be lifted to further enhance relations between the parties. He also explained that cooperation with the EU on the fight against terrorism and illegal migration is vital and opening opening of the Foreign, Security and Defence Policy Chapter is of great importance. Furthermore, he also reminded that more cooperation is needed as regards the Readmission Agreement and the issue of visa liberalisation within the framework of the Justice, Freedom and Security Chapter.

In the context of his visit, President Erdoğan also met with President of the European Council Donald Tusk. Following the meeting, a joint press conference was organised in which President Erdoğan explained that enlargement policy which constitutes one of the most effective political tools of the EU should be pursued and bring tangible results. He also highlighted the importance of further strengthening dialogue with the EU regarding the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue and in the energy and economy areas. President Erdoğan further explained that Turkey is continuing a decisive fight against terrorist organisations such as ISIS, PKK and DHKP-C and that the operations which are being performed are done in a manner in which citizens’ lives and property are being protected and also in trying to keep a delicate balance between the freedoms and security. President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of preventing the terrorist organisation PKK from gaining legitimacy as a result of its struggle against ISIS in Syria. Moreover, he stressed that PYD just as PKK is a terrorist organisation and that the notion of “good terrorist, bad terrorist” shall never be accepted. President Erdoğan further reminded that Turkey hosts refugees fleeing from the conflict for more than 4 years and that Turkey takes this responsibility alone on behalf of the international community. President Erdoğan also reminded that EU Member States are focusing more closely to the migration flows which result from the Syrian crisis. He further emphasised that Turkey is always open to all forms of cooperation with the EU in terms of determining a common approach in that respect.

During the press conference, President of the European Council Donald Tusk expressed their wish in further enhancing Turkey-EU relations and further explained that the EU is willing to work together with Turkey as regards the Syrian refugees. Moreover, he explained that issues pertaining to financial support, border control, the fight against human trafficking, integration policies and visa liberalisation along with the possibility of creating a buffer zone in Syria have been discussed.

In the context of his visit to Belgium, President Erdoğan also met with EP President Martin Schulz and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker respectively. Before the meetings, President Erdoğan reminded the media representatives that chapters regarding Turkey’s EU membership along with the refugee issue, the Cyprus issue and the possibility of creating a safe zone in the context of the Syrian crisis would be addressed. Following the meetings, President Erdoğan attended a working dinner with EP President Martin Schulz, President of the European Council Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Commission President Juncker conveyed a draft action plan elaborated by the Commission to President Erdoğan regarding further support for the refugees and migration management. According to the plan, the EU will mobilise up to 1 billion euros support to Turkey for the period 2015-16.  The plan also includes a series of actions to be taken immediately by the EU and Turkey. The main aim of the plan prepared by the Commission is to contribute to prevent further illegal migration from Turkey to the EU and to support to the management of refugee flows in Turkey. In a communiqué released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is explained that the draft action plan shall be addressed within the framework of the formation of a joint working group where migration issues shall be discussed between the parties. Furthermore, the communiqué reminds that an agreement has not yet been reached regarding the content of the draft.

On 6 October 2015, President Erdoğan also met with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. In a joint press conference, President Erdoğan criticised Russia’s violation of Turkey’s airspace and stressed that an attack against Turkey constitutes an attack against NATO and that NATO has taken a clear stance in that respect. Furthermore, he reminded that Turkey-Belgium economic relations were also discussed within the framework of the meeting and added that both countries have an objective of raising their trade volume from approximately 7 billion dollars to 20 billion dollars. Prime Minister Michel underlined the importance of both countries determination to fight together against terrorism and that all resources should be utilised in that respect.

The draft action plan on support of refugees and migration management prepared by the European Commission can be reached here.