The "EU–Türkiye Business Summit," co-organized for the first time by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK)/Türkiye–Europe Business Councils and the European Business Summit (EBS), was held on 17 November 2025 at Brussels' historic Egmont Palace.

The Summit, organized for the first time this year by DEİK and the European Business Summit (EBS), one of Europe's most prestigious business platforms, brought together Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu, Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı, Permanent Delegate of Türkiye to the European Union, Turkish Ambassador to Belgium Görkem Barış Tantekin, Türkiye's Permanent Representative to NATO Ambassador Basat Öztürk, DEİK President Nail Olpak, Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, Coordinating Chairperson of DEİK/Türkiye–Europe Business Councils, EBS Director-General Arnaud Thysen, Ambassadors, senior government officials, members of the European parliament, think tank leaders, senior executives of global companies, and more than 400 businesspeople.

Bolat: "The Summit provides a highly suitable platform to discuss and shape the Türkiye–EU economic partnership"

Addressing the summit via videoconference, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat said, "I regret not being able to join you physically in Brussels. However, I am pleased to come together with you simultaneously via video link. Today's summit provides a highly suitable platform to discuss and shape a stronger and forward-looking Türkiye–EU economic partnership." Pointing out that they were gathering at a time when global trade has become increasingly unpredictable, Bolat said, "Trade disputes, unilateral measures, rising protectionism, and intensifying industrial competition continue to reshape global markets. I believe the Summit will provide a basis for productive discussions on Türkiye's economic and strategic integration with the European Union and pave the way for a deeper and more resilient partnership."

Stating that Türkiye's exports to the European Union had reached an all-time high of 109 billion dollars, Bolat said, "The EU accounted for 41 percent of our total exports. Türkiye continues to be a strategic production and supply hub for the EU. Around 70 percent of foreign investments in Türkiye come from European partners and contribute approximately 70 billion dollars annually to our export revenues. EU companies operating in our country employ nearly 1.2 million people and play a critical role in the supply chains sustaining Türkiye's exports to the EU. Our partnership stands out as a stable, rules-based, and mutually beneficial framework." Noting that the Türkiye–EU Customs Union, established in 1995, has long been the cornerstone of their economic relations, Bolat continued: "However, after thirty years, global trade conditions have changed, and the existing framework has become insufficient to fully reflect these new dynamics. Therefore, the modernization of the Customs Union has become indispensable not only for strengthening our economic integration but also for ensuring a fair, predictable, and future-oriented trade environment. Its expansion to include services, digital trade, green transformation, and regulatory cooperation will open new opportunities, increase competitiveness, and address existing structural problems. We must remember that the modernization of the Customs Union is not merely a trade agreement; it is also an invitation for future-oriented investments. I invite our business partners in the EU to explore the opportunities in Türkiye's business environment, where real joint investment potential exists."

Olpak: "The EU continues to be Türkiye's largest trading partner"

DEİK President Nail Olpak stated, "Regarding the Customs Union, if a negotiation has been ongoing for 10 years, something is wrong. In a partnership, if there is a loss, the large side loses more; the small side loses less. Türkiye and the EU share a deep and dynamic partnership based on mutual interests, economic integration, and a vision of stability and prosperity. Our trade and investment relations form the backbone of this partnership. While the EU continues to be Türkiye's largest trading partner, Türkiye is also one of the most important markets for the EU. Mutual investments are another area of cooperation that carries great importance for both sides." Emphasizing that the next phase of Türkiye–EU economic cooperation should not remain limited to dialogue but must transform into concrete action, Olpak added: "At this point, green and digital transformation presents us with a shared agenda. Türkiye's rapidly growing renewable energy capacity, advanced production infrastructure, and digital capabilities make it an ideal partner for Europe's twin-transition goals. Moreover, cooperation in energy security, climate resilience, connectivity, and the defense industry are areas where Türkiye can make significant contributions to Europe's strategic autonomy. In this context, Türkiye's active participation in the European Security Action Program (SAFE) and the development of joint projects hold great importance. However, if we truly want to deepen our trade and investment relations, we must ensure the free movement of goods, people, and services and avoid protectionist approaches. In this new period, we must shape the future as partners who think and act together. By renewing trust, modernizing our economic framework, and strengthening innovation-oriented cooperation, we can build a more competitive, sustainable, and secure European economy with Türkiye at its heart. DEİK stands ready to support all efforts to strengthen the Türkiye–EU partnership under the spirit of ‘Business Diplomacy' through its 153 Business Councils."

Koopman: "Türkiye is an integral part of Europe's vision"

Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, emphasized that Türkiye is a decisive actor contributing to regional stability and connectivity, noting that Türkiye and the EU share the same geography, have deeply interconnected economies, and that historical ties also play a significant role. Stating that Türkiye is an EU candidate country, a NATO member, and one of the EU's key partners in many areas of trade and mutual interest, Koopman said, "Türkiye is a decisive actor contributing to regional stability. It also plays a key role in regional connectivity."

Pointing out Türkiye's critical position regarding issues such as Syria, Russia's war against Ukraine, and the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus, Koopman said that the EU and Türkiye have common interests in enhancing cooperation. Emphasizing the continued importance of working on the Customs Union Agreement, Koopman said, "If constructive engagement continues and we see progress towards restarting negotiations on the Cyprus issue, work towards the modernization of the Customs Union will also resume. This, of course, will help reshape the full potential of EU–Türkiye relations. Europe is not only a political project. It is a shared vision of coexistence, common prosperity, and peace. Türkiye, with its historical background and dynamism, is an integral part of this vision."

Yalçındağ: "Together we can write a bright success story in global trade"

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, Coordinating Chairperson of DEİK/Türkiye–Europe Business Councils, stated that both the European Union and Türkiye are facing various challenges due to recent global political and economic developments. Identifying three main areas regarding the design of a strategic partnership between Türkiye and the EU, Yalçındağ said: "First; after the Covid-19 pandemic, costs increased sharply, placing heavy pressure on the industries of many EU countries. Combined with concerns over energy dependency, Türkiye stands out as both a cost-advantageous and energy-efficient production hub, while also positioning itself as a reliable energy transit center. Second; security and defense are among today's most important agenda items. With NATO's second-largest army, Türkiye is one of the EU's most reliable partners. Establishing strong partnerships with the Turkish defense industry will strengthen our strategic cooperation and contribute significantly to regional security. We must focus on mutual benefit. Finally; in a period when global trade flows are disrupted and supply chains face new challenges, distance is the most critical factor in determining new trade routes." Stating that Türkiye is a strategic and resilient partner for Europe in energy, security, and supply chains, Yalçındağ said, "Together we can write a bright success story in global trade. We must be more proactive. Türkiye is ready to do more for the EU. I kindly ask you to genuinely evaluate how you approach this plan. We owe this not only to our past but also to future generations. Therefore, as the business world, we must work harder, be fearless, and most importantly act together as one with a common purpose."

Thysen: "The economic ties between the EU and Türkiye continue to be one of the cornerstones of regional cooperation"

EBS Director-General Arnaud Thysen stated that the economic ties between the EU and Türkiye continue to be one of the cornerstones of regional cooperation, saying, "The fact that bilateral trade has reached record levels and Türkiye is the EU's fifth-largest trading partner marks a crucial period for boldly renewing this strategic alliance. The ideas we shape here today may affect the competitiveness and prosperity of our entire region. Your participation in the Summit is a strong sign of our shared commitment to shaping the future of Türkiye and Europe."

At the Summit, panels titled "Customs Union 2.0: Renewing the EU–Türkiye Customs Union for Global Competitiveness," "From Mines to Markets: Building a Greener, Stronger EU–Türkiye Supply Chain," "Innovation in Electric Vehicles and Mobility: Reshaping EU–Türkiye Cooperation in the Automotive Sector," "A Turning Point in the Defense Industry: Redefining EU–Türkiye Cooperation in a Period of Uncertainty," and "Crossing Digital Borders: Unleashing the Potential of a Shared Digital Future for the EU and Türkiye" were held.

Sponsors of the Summit, co-organized by DEİK and EBS, were Turkish Airlines -as the main sponsor- and Balsu, Cengiz Holding, Doğan Holding, Halkbank, Kale Group, Kibar Holding, Sarten, SOCAR Türkiye, Trendyol, Türk Telekom, and Ziraat Bank.

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