Queen Mathilde of Belgium's Visit to Türkiye (2026)

Queen Mathilde of Belgium will undertake an economic mission visit to the Republic of Türkiye from 10 to 14 May 2026. The visit will be conducted with a large delegation including over 400 private sector representatives and multiple Belgian government ministers.

Istanbul and Ankara will be included in this five-day visit, which aims to strengthen economic and commercial relations between the two countries in various sectors, including energy, defense, logistics, healthcare, technology, and digitalization.

Belgian Economic Mission visits are part of Belgium’s official economic diplomacy programs under its foreign economic relations framework. During these visits, meetings, business forums, institutional tours, and thematic events are organized to develop bilateral economic relations across multiple sectors. Belgium organizes two economic mission visits per year.

An economic mission visit to Türkiye was previously organized by Belgium in 2012. At that time, then Crown Prince Philippe led the mission, and then Princess Mathilde accompanied him.

^{'Economic Mission' delegation led by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Belgian Minister of Defense Theo Francken and other delegation members at Ortaköy Square, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The delegation leading the visit consists of numerous high-level officials under the presidency ofQueen Mathilde. The delegation includes the following members:

• Maxime Prévot – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation

• Theo Francken – Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade

• Boris Dilliés – Prime Minister of the Brussels-Capital Region Government

• Matthias Diependaele – Prime Minister of the Flemish Government

• Pierre-Yves Jeholet – Deputy Prime Minister of the Walloon Government

In addition to these officials, 428 private sector representatives are also participating in the visit. This marks Queen Mathilde’s first leadership of an economic mission following Princess Astrid’s withdrawal from leading such missions due to health reasons.

The visit will take place in two cities: Istanbul (10–12 May) and Ankara (13–14 May). The program includes meetings withPresident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, company visits, and political meetings. It is noted that Queen Mathilde will only participate in the first part of the mission due to prior commitments.

Planned activities include:

• Bilateral B2B meetings with local partners

• Sectoral seminars

• Official meetings with Turkish public institutions and private sector representatives

• Company visits

• Signing ceremonies (formalization of partnerships and agreements)

• Networking events and receptions

• Türkiye-Belgium Economic Forum

Additionally, intergovernmental agreements and documents in the fields of defense, aviation, and social security have been included in the program.

The bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Belgium reached $9.2 billion in 2025, with exports totaling $5 billion and imports amounting to $4.2 billion. From 2002 to January 2026, Belgian investment in Türkiye amounted to $9.3 billion, while Turkish investment in Belgium remained at approximately $490 million during the same period.

^{Queen Mathilde of Belgium is welcomed at Istanbul Airport by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The total value of goods and services exported by Belgium to Türkiye in 2025 was announced as €6.5 billion; imports from Türkiye during the same period reached €5.6 billion.

The aircraft carrying Queen Mathilde and her delegation landed at Istanbul Airport on 10 May 2026 at 12:00. The delegation was welcomed at the airport by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and other officials.

In addition to the official program, the delegation led by Queen Mathilde visited the Ortaköy district of Istanbul and received strong interest from local and international tourists.

On 10 May 2026, Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, hosted Queen Mathilde at Dolmabahçe Palace. Emine Erdoğan welcomed the Queen at the entrance of the Muayede Salon, after which the two proceeded to the Medhal Salon for a conversation.

^{Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Erdoğan, welcomes Queen Mathilde of Belgium at Dolmabahçe Palace, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Following the meeting, Emine Erdoğan and Queen Mathilde jointly visited the exhibition 'Century-long Elegance' organized by the Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü. Among the garments examined by the two was the 'Anatolia' collection by Özgür Masur, which reinterprets Turkish cultural heritage. The collection consists of 100 pieces, the product of a three-year research initiative conducted at women’s institutes across Anatolia, combining traditional Anatolian production techniques and fabrics with modern designs.

^{Queen Mathilde of Belgium, on her Economic Mission to Türkiye, visits the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

During the visit, Emine Erdoğan presented Queen Mathilde with a brooch crafted using needle lace and embroidery techniques, featuring motifs of carnation, poppy, and tulip, created by instructors from the Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü.

On the first day of the Economic Mission, 10 May 2026, the delegation led by Queen Mathilde visited the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, where Baykar conducts research and development and production of its national and indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles.

^{Queen Mathilde of Belgium, on her Economic Mission to Türkiye, visits the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

During the visit, Queen Mathilde was accompanied by Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board and Technology Leader of Baykar, and Haluk Bayraktar, General Manager of Baykar. Also present were Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries. The delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot, Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Francken, regional government heads, Belgium’s Ambassador to Ankara Hendrik Van De Velde, state officials, diplomatic mission representatives, academics, private sector representatives, and Belgian journalists.

Queen Mathilde examined Baykar’s internationally recognized national SİHA platforms and received a detailed briefing on their research and development and production activities. At the conclusion of the visit, a commemorative photograph was taken in front of the Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA on display, and a model of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle was presented to Queen Mathilde as a keepsake.

^{Queen Mathilde of Belgium, on her Economic Mission to Türkiye, visits the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

In remarks regarding the visit, Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Baykar, expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss cooperation prospects.

Bayraktar emphasized his belief that the visit would be beneficial for joint technological development between the two countries, stating, “I consider this initiative important for our shared efforts within Europe’s security architecture. Baykar is the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle company, holding 60 percent of the export market. Türkiye holds 65 percent. The technology we have developed has left its mark on the world and is receiving strong global interest. We recently concluded the SAHA 2026 fair, where we observed significant attention to emerging security gaps worldwide. Every nation is now preoccupied with its own security.”

^{Queen Mathilde of Belgium, on her Economic Mission to Türkiye, visits the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul, 10 May 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Bayraktar drew attention to cooperation as a crucial issue for medium-sized and smaller states, adding, “As Türkiye, we approach every country that extends a hand of friendship to us across our friendly and brotherly regions with genuine friendship and brotherhood. I believe this approach stems from our civilization’s culture and faith. I hope this visit brings about beneficial outcomes.”

Bayraktar underscored that the world is being drawn toward a dark situation, stating, “In this context, I believe such cooperation and alliances are vital. If nations compete against each other, they will deepen the current security crisis. Moreover, the only way to overcome trade wars and supply chain disruptions worldwide is through strong alliances and tight bonds. Türkiye’s largest trading partner is Europe, and Europe is also where we realize our greatest export potential.”

On 11 May 2026, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Queen Mathilde at the Vahdettin Pavilion. The audience, attended by Emine Erdoğan, was held off the record.

^{President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan with Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Vahdettin Pavilion, 11 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}" image-element-format="right" image-height="3213" image-source="https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/05/12/uEV4ep9idVQlWH2QkHfwwuY7BVju5jCR.jpg" image-width="4589">

According to a statement released on the Presidency of Communications’ social media account, the talks covered Turkey-Belgium bilateral relations and regional and global issues.

The statement noted: “President Erdoğan stated that Turkey and Belgium have significant cooperation potential across numerous areas, from trade to defense industry, energy to agriculture, and that they will continue taking steps to strengthen their relations.

Our President emphasized that recent developments in our region once again highlight the geopolitical importance of Turkey-EU relations and that the most urgent priority for progress before full membership is the updating of the Customs Union to reflect new conditions. He also stated that our participation in EU defense initiatives is in our mutual interest.

^{President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan with Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Vahdettin Pavilion, 11 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}" image-element-format="left" image-height="3213" image-source="https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/05/12/wONm0a8Hr3p4uftTn7ISqjCcuWX74mwR.jpg" image-width="4485">

President Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s prominent diplomatic initiatives on the international stage, noting that Türkiye will host the NATO Leaders Summit in Ankara on 7–8 July and COP31 from 9–20 November this year. He underscored that green energy transition is one of the key areas of cooperation with Belgium and noted that Türkiye’s renewable energy capacity ranks among the highest in Europe.

Our President expressed his hope that Queen Mathilde’s engagements with Turkish business circles would yield tangible outcomes.

On the sidelines of the visit, an investment panel event was held at the Belgian Consulate in Taksim, attended by Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat. The event, which also included participation by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot, Head of the Presidency Investment and Finance Office Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, and Istanbul Consul General Tim Van Anderlecht, was held off the record.

On 11 May 2026, the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO) hosted the panel titled 'Women’s Economic Participation and Women’s Rights in the Business World'. Queen Mathilde delivered a speech at the event, which was attended by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, İSO Board Chair Erdal Bahçıvan, and numerous guests.

^{Queen Mathilde of Belgium speaking at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, 11 May 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}" image-element-format="right"