Politics · Turkey · 13 hrs ago
Turkey urges Belgium to cooperate more on terrorism and crime
Seven Turkish and Belgian ministers met in Brussels for talks on security, justice and migration, their first such meeting in 10 years.
Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said countries should make no distinction between terrorist groups and should not let their territory become a safe haven for them.
He called on Belgium to close organizations Turkey links to the PKK and FETÖ, and to respond positively to Turkey’s extradition requests.
Çiftçi also urged closer cooperation against organized crime networks and irregular migration, including through police and justice agencies.
The talks follow earlier meetings between the two countries, with the last one held in 2016.
Belgium said the meeting was intended to strengthen practical cooperation, while its foreign minister described Turkey as important to European security.
The ministers are seeking stronger cooperation, but no specific agreements or next steps were announced in the reports.
Turkish and Belgian ministers met in Brussels for talks on terrorism, organized crime and irregular migration.
Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi urged Belgium to cooperate more, including on extradition requests and action against groups linked to the PKK and FETÖ.
The meeting brought together seven ministers from the two countries.
Belgium said the talks aimed to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation on security, justice and migration.
- Who
- Turkish and Belgian ministers, including Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi.
- What
- They held their fourth trilateral meeting on foreign affairs, justice and interior issues, discussing terrorism, organized crime and migration.
- When
- October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Egmont Palace in Brussels, Belgium.
- Why
- To strengthen political dialogue and cooperation, including in security, justice and migration.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first trilateral meeting was held in Istanbul.
The second trilateral meeting was held in Brussels.
The third trilateral meeting was held in Ankara.
The fourth meeting took place in Brussels.
- Participants
- Seven ministers: three from Turkey and four from Belgium
- Meeting
- Fourth Turkey-Belgium trilateral meeting
- Location
- Egmont Palace, Brussels
- Main issues
- Terrorism, organized crime and irregular migration
- Turkish minister
- Mustafa Çiftçi, interior minister
4 sources
What people are saying
The international community and our friends should make no distinction between terrorist organizations and show tolerance to none of them.
You cannot seriously address European security without engaging with Turkey.
We must continue to strengthen our international cooperation.