Türkiye’s FM Highlights Dutch Ties, Pushes for Stronger EU Trade

At a diplomatic reception in Ankara celebrating King’s Day, Türkiye’s Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek emphasized the historic and strategic partnership between Türkiye and the Netherlands, calling for deeper economic ties and renewed momentum in EU-Türkiye relations.

Speaking at the Dutch Embassy’s April 29, 2025 event, Şimşek highlighted the near 500-year friendship between the two nations. He described the Netherlands as one of Türkiye’s top trade and investment partners, praising robust cooperation in defense, energy, and broader economic affairs.

“The modernization of the Customs Union would be a mutually beneficial step,” Şimşek stated, referring to the EU-Türkiye agreement that allows tariff-free trade in industrial goods.

Customs Union Modernization: A Shared Opportunity

Şimşek urged European leaders not to allow domestic politics to obstruct the modernization of the EU–Türkiye Customs Union, which he said would increase competitiveness and reinforce regional economic integration. He expressed confidence that the Netherlands would support this initiative, noting the country’s longstanding economic role in Türkiye.

The minister stressed that Türkiye is a competitive and strategic market for Europe, backed by a diverse economy, skilled labor force, and solid infrastructure.

A History of Bilateral Milestones

Recalling key historical milestones, Şimşek noted that 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and the 60th anniversary of the Labor Agreement, which enabled Turkish citizens to work in the Netherlands. These agreements helped forge the foundation of today’s vibrant Turkish-Dutch community.

Şimşek highlighted several recent economic indicators:

• $13 billion in bilateral trade in 2024

• The Netherlands as Türkiye’s largest foreign investor

• 1.3 million Dutch tourists visited Türkiye last year

He invited Dutch investors to explore new business opportunities in Türkiye and acknowledged the increasing number of Turkish entrepreneurs operating in the Netherlands.

Addressing Global Economic Uncertainty

Turning to broader economic trends, Şimşek warned of rising global uncertainty and protectionism since the 2008 financial crisis. He argued that the best response is deeper regional integration, especially between Türkiye and the European Union.

Referring to the influential Draghi report—authored by former ECB President Mario Draghi—Şimşek endorsed its recommendations for a more integrated Capital Markets Union (CMU). He stressed that a resilient European economy must engage more closely with non-EU neighbors, particularly Türkiye, in order to broaden investment and financing access across the continent.