The Commission hosts EU–Türkiye High-Level Economic Dialogue

Today, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos met Türkiye's Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek in Brussels for a High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) between the European Union and Türkiye.

The HLED, the first since 2019, was an opportunity to take stock of the EU-Türkiye economic and financial relations and discuss ways to strengthen these. This is aligned with the Joint Communication to the European Council on the state of play of EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations from November 2023 and a broader effort to enhance EU-Türkiye cooperation in line with the call by European leaders in April 2024. At a time of significant geopolitical shifts, the HLED serves as an important channel to reflect on broader global developments.

The HLED also provided an opportunity to engage in frank exchange of views and express EU concerns regarding recent arrests and detentions of elected officials, members of civil society and media. Vibrant democracies and the rule of law provide the strongest foundations for maintaining the confidence of international investors and preserving macroeconomic stability. The EU side stressed that Türkiye, as an EU candidate country and long-standing member of the Council of Europe, is expected to apply the highest democratic standards and practices, in line with the Joint Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Kos, issued in March 2025 following the recent events in the country.

The EU-Türkiye HLED focused on the economic outlook and latest policy developments. This included long-term reform challenges in the EU and Türkiye's structural reform agenda. The latter aims to enhance productivity and drive long-term economic growth, as outlined in Türkiye's Economic Reform Programme (2025-2027), against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and unpredictable global environment. Discussions on strengthening competitiveness, improving Türkiye's investment climate and better coordination of the engagement of European and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the country—including a state of play of the Türkiye Investment Platform (TIP)—were also among the principal subjects to be discussed.

As an indispensable part of the event, a Business-to-Business Dialogue took place this afternoon, providing an opportunity for the representatives of the European and Turkish business community and the IFIs involved in the TIP to meet. The meeting focused on exploring how the EU and Türkiye can enhance competitiveness and drive the green transition to strengthen economic, financial, and investment ties as well as on improving SMEs' access to long-term sustainable financing.

EU and Türkiye's representatives agreed to meet again next year in Türkiye to continue cooperation in critical economic areas while maintaining consistent, open and constructive communication on mutual challenges and opportunities.

Background  

The last HLED was held in 2019, following which it was suspended (along with other high-level dialogues) due to the unauthorised drilling activities of Türkiye in the Eastern Mediterranean. After an extended period of economic policy-driven instability, Türkiye has changed course and tightened its economic policy since mid-2023.

Therefore, in December 2024, Member States agreed to reinstate the HLED with Türkiye. Resuming this and other high-level dialogues is important to advance in our relations with Türkiye, as part of the positive agenda outlined in the Joint Communication to the EU Council from November 2023. It also follows the newly established High-Level Dialogue on Trade, that held its first meeting in July 2024.

This HLED will supplement ongoing substantive discussions on Türkiye's economic policies within the context of the multilateral economic surveillance of enlargement countries, following the submission of Türkiye's Economic Reform Programme in mid‑January.

At the same time, the European Union will continue to engage with Türkiye on the respect of fundamental rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.

For more information  

Joint statement on EU-Türkiye High-Level Economic Dialogue