The EU-Türkiye High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) was held on April 3, 2025, in Brussels, co-chaired by Valdis Dombrovskis and Marta Kos for the EU, and Mehmet Şimşek for Türkiye. The dialogue emphasizes a strong commitment to enhancing economic and financial relations. This step aligns with the Joint Communication on EU-Türkiye relations from November 2023, directed by the European Council. Türkiye, a candidate country and key EU partner, plays a crucial role in this context. Upholding values such as rule of law, democracy, media freedom, and human rights is essential for economic confidence and business facilitation.
During the government session, economic policies and prospects in Türkiye and the EU were reviewed amidst a challenging global environment. Discussions included EU initiatives for competitiveness and Türkiyes structural reforms for productivity and growth, as per Türkiyes Economic Reform Programme (2025-2027). Enhancing the investment climate and engaging EU and international financial institutions were highlighted. The European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Council of Europe Development Bank participated, emphasizing the significance of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in boosting competitiveness and sustainability.
The EU-Türkiye Business-to-Business meeting gathered EU and Turkish business representatives with IFIs and national banks from the Turkey Investment Platform, focusing on improving economic, financial, and investment relations, with an emphasis on SME finance access.
Both parties confirmed their dedication to ongoing dialogue, addressing common challenges, and continuing cooperation in vital economic areas, agreeing to reconvene next year in Türkiye.