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

The third high-level EU-Turkey trade dialogue took place in Brussels on October 13-14, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, and the Turkish Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat. The talks, preceded by a business roundtable, aimed to strengthen economic ties and address the modernization of the Customs Union.

During the sessions, both parties announced the removal of technical barriers related to Turkey’s TAREKS import inspection system and confirmed progress on the mutual recognition of authorised economic operators. Minister Bolat specifically advocated for Turkey to be treated as an equal partner from the outset regarding the European Union's new industrial policies, including the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and the 'Made in EU' initiative. He highlighted the significant integration of industrial supply chains, particularly in the automotive sector, which accounts for €55 billion in annual trade. The discussions underscored the importance of maintaining existing industrial cohesion established over three decades of the Customs Union.