Trade Minister Ömer Bolat assessed Türkiye’s external economic relations at the Arctic Panel Program and Diplomatic Missions Reception held at the General Headquarters of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association.
Bolat thanked MÜSİAD for contributing to the organization of MÜSİAD EXPO 2026 International Trade Fair and the Arctic Panel Program and Diplomatic Missions Reception. Noting that MÜSİAD EXPO is held every two years, Bolat said he hoped participants from Türkiye and different countries around the world would benefit from the fair.
Meetings in New York
Bolat said they had spent three days in New York with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and a large delegation from the public and private sectors. He said Erdoğan had drawn attention in his address to the United Nations General Assembly to shortcomings in the existing UN system and the situation in Palestine, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.
Bolat said many world leaders delivered messages of solidarity with the Palestinians during the UN sessions in New York and expressed support for ending Israel’s attacks. He also described the emptying of the General Assembly hall during the Israeli prime minister’s speech as one of the session’s notable developments.
Bolat said they had held trade and investment conferences in New York and met with the Turkish diaspora in the United States as part of the annual meetings held for the opening sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.
Economic relations with different regions
Bolat said developing economic relations with North, Central and South American countries in every field was one of Türkiye’s trade policy strategies. He said external economic relations had been developed with all regions of the world, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, during President Erdoğan’s approximately 24-year tenure.
Bolat said the Customs Union relationship with the European Union, which has continued for 30 years, holds a special and important place for Türkiye, adding that the EU is Türkiye’s largest trading partner. Bolat said Türkiye has 24 free trade agreements with countries in different regions of the world and five preferential trade agreements with various countries.
Bolat also said he would hold talks with some members of the European Commission in Brussels on Monday.
Expansion in Africa and Asia
Bolat said the African Leaders Summit would be held in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, at the beginning of December. He said Türkiye was developing its external economic relations with the whole of Africa without distinction based on religion or ethnic origin.
Bolat said the 55-56 countries in Africa had witnessed Türkiye’s approach to partnership in friendship, development, trade and investment, adding that trade relations with Africa had increased more than elevenfold.
Bolat said Türkiye’s approach to Africa was based on friendship, fraternity, development, growing together and becoming more prosperous together. He also addressed the trade strategy pursued with Asian and East Asian countries, saying that relations with Australia and New Zealand were also steadily developing.
Emphasis on a “win-win” approach
Bolat said Türkiye’s goal was to be friends and partners with all countries in the world, adding that external economic relations were conducted according to the “win-win” principle. He said this approach was not based on the idea of “we win, you lose” or “we lose, you win.”
Bolat said an approach based on cooperation and joint efforts created an environment of friendship and partnership. He added that he regarded MÜSİAD and other business organizations in Türkiye as partners in this process. Bolat said Türkiye was open to cooperation and partnership with all countries in the world.
Protectionism and trade wars
Bolat said the world was facing divisive challenges in political, geostrategic, economic and trade policy terms. He said trade was being affected by strong protectionist trends at a time when the global economy was facing lower growth rates.
