Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements on Türkiye-Austria relations and the European Union agenda at a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Ankara.
Erdoğan said steps by the European Union, particularly toward updating the Customs Union and advancing the visa liberalization dialogue, would serve the interests of Türkiye as well as its European partners.
$5 billion target in economic relations
Turkish President Erdoğan said economic and trade relations between the two countries had gained positive momentum recently. Erdoğan said trade volume reached approximately $4.5 billion in 2025 and stated that they believed the $5 billion target could be exceeded this year.
Erdoğan said more than 1,000 Austrian companies operate in Türkiye and that Austria's direct investments in Türkiye had exceeded $11 billion. He added that Türkiye's investments in Austria were approaching $1 billion.
Erdoğan said establishing a Joint Economic and Trade Committee in place of the existing Joint Economic Commission mechanism would be more appropriate for further developing economic relations between the two countries. He expressed hope that the committee's first meeting would be held by the end of the year.
Erdoğan said there was significant potential for cooperation in green energy, critical minerals, high technology, transport and the defense industry. He stated that joint work in these fields could develop into a strategic partnership that would strengthen the Middle Corridor.
The Turkish community in Austria
Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction with Christian Stocker's first visit to Türkiye as Austrian chancellor and said he hoped high-level visits between the two countries would continue regularly.
Erdoğan said the Turkish community in Austria, which numbers more than 400,000, was a shared value for both countries. He added that they had emphasized during the talks the importance they attach to the peace and prosperity of the Turkish community.
Regional agenda
Erdoğan said he and Stocker had discussed all aspects of bilateral relations, as well as Türkiye-European Union relations and regional and global developments.
Erdoğan said preserving Syria's territorial integrity and unity remained a priority goal and stated that they valued Austria's contribution to Syria's reconstruction process.
Erdoğan said they supported an approach based on a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. He added that ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza remained an important issue on the agenda.
Erdoğan said Türkiye and Austria also attached importance to maintaining stability in the Balkans and expressed hope that the meeting would contribute to the positive momentum in relations between the two countries.
