EU and Turkey hold third high-level trade dialogue in Brussels

On October 13 and 14, 2026, Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat visited Brussels to participate in the third EU-Turkey High-Level Trade Dialogue. Co-chaired by EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and Minister Bolat, the talks focused on modernizing the existing Customs Union and addressing industrial integration. A roundtable meeting with business representatives from both sides preceded the official discussions.

The discussions resulted in significant technical agreements, including the removal of barriers related to Turkey’s TAREKS import inspection system and a mutual recognition agreement for authorized economic operators. Minister Bolat advocated for Turkey to be treated as a full partner in the upcoming EU Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), citing the deep industrial integration achieved over three decades of the Customs Union. He highlighted that the automotive sector alone accounts for 55 billion euros in annual trade, representing 26% of total bilateral commerce.

The meeting also touched upon the 'Made in EU' policies, with Turkey seeking integration into European industrial frameworks from the outset. While no immediate legislative changes were finalized regarding the IAA, the dialogue established a foundation for future cooperation on economic security and regulatory alignment.