Trade Minister Ömer Bolat met with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in the United States, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening economic and trade relations between Türkiye and the European Union.

In a statement shared on social media, Bolat said the meeting served as an important preparatory step ahead of the third Türkiye-EU High-Level Trade Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place in Brussels on October 13.

Bolat said the talks reaffirmed that Türkiye and the European Union remain strategic and multidimensional partners, adding that both sides reviewed ways to deepen economic integration and enhance bilateral trade cooperation.

Türkiye outlines priorities

During the meeting, Bolat conveyed Türkiye's expectations regarding the European Union's proposed Industrial Acceleration Act, stressing that the bloc's new industrial policies and the "Made in EU" initiative should be implemented in a way that preserves the existing Customs Union framework and does not undermine Türkiye's deep economic integration with the EU.

The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in e-commerce, advancing the positive agenda on public procurement, and safeguarding the market share of Turkish exporters under the EU's planned steel trade measures.

Bolat further highlighted the importance of improving cooperation in digital trade, enhancing transport connectivity, addressing technical barriers to trade, and facilitating smoother commercial exchanges between Türkiye and the EU.

He expressed hope that the upcoming High-Level Trade Dialogue in Brussels would deliver concrete progress on long-standing trade issues and further strengthen economic cooperation based on mutual benefit.

Bolat reiterated that Türkiye remains committed to deepening its economic partnership with the European Union and will continue efforts to remove barriers to trade while expanding cooperation in key strategic sectors.(ILKHA)