Türkiye, EU agree to strengthen economic cooperation: Finance Minister Simsek

Türkiye and the European Union reached a consensus on boosting economic relations and enhancing cooperation across all sectors, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said Thursday.

The two sides held the first High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) meeting in six years in Brussels. The meeting was co-chaired by Simsek, EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Valdis Dombrovskis, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

“We held the Türkiye-European Union High-Level Economic Dialogue meeting today in Brussels, after a six-year hiatus, in a very constructive atmosphere,” Simsek wrote on X.

“In the productive discussions with our EU counterparts, a consensus emerged on strengthening economic relations and increasing cooperation in all areas,” he added.

During the meeting, discussions also focused on the modernization of the Customs Union and visa facilitation.

“The deepening of relations with Europe-based international financial institutions was also evaluated,” Simsek noted.

Türkiye-Avrupa Birliği Yüksek Düzeyli Ekonomik Diyalog toplantısını 6 yıl aradan sonra bugün Brüksel’de çok yapıcı bir atmosferde gerçekleştirdik.

AB’li mevkidaşlarımızla yaptığımız verimli toplantılarda ekonomik ilişkilerin geliştirilerek işbirliğinin her alanda artırılmasına… pic.twitter.com/OAC7B6F0Ut

— Mehmet Simsek (@memetsimsek) April 3, 2025

Deeping relations between Türkiye and EU

The HLED represents a mutual commitment to bolstering the EU-Türkiye economic and financial partnership, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.

The statement stressed that the meeting was a significant step toward deepening relations between Türkiye and the EU.

“Türkiye is a candidate country and a key EU partner. In a challenging geopolitical environment, EU-Türkiye relations should be guided by values such as respect for the rule of law, democracy, media freedom, and human rights, which are vital in sustaining economic confidence and fostering a favorable business environment,” the statement said.

During the government-to-government session, both sides reviewed recent economic policy developments in Türkiye and the EU amidst a challenging global economic outlook.

Türkiye’s Economic Growth Programme to boost productivity

They also discussed recent EU initiatives aimed at strengthening competitiveness and steps Türkiye has taken to advance structural reforms outlined in Türkiye’s Economic Reform Programme (2025-2027), aimed at boosting productivity and long-term growth.

The European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Council of Europe Development Bank also participated in the meeting, underscoring the importance of the work carried out by international financial institutions to enhance competitiveness, economic sustainability, and cohesion.

The joint statement further noted that the EU-Türkiye Business-to-Business meeting, held as part of the HLED, brought together representatives from the Turkish and EU business communities, international financial institutions, and national development banks participating in the Türkiye Investment Platform.

The HLED also addressed opportunities for advancing Türkiye-EU economic, financial, and investment relations, with particular emphasis on enhancing competitiveness and facilitating small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to long-term financing.

Both sides agreed to hold the next High-Level Economic Dialogue meeting in Türkiye.