EU and Türkiye advance trade cooperation after Brussels dialogue

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EU-Türkiye trade cooperation

Highlights

EU and Türkiye hold 3rd High Level Dialogue on Trade in Brussels on 13 October 2026, prioritizing customs reform, market access, and regulatory alignment.
Parties announce removal of Türkiye's TAREKS import control barrier, advance machinery regulation alignment, and confirm continued technical engagement on textiles and alcoholic beverages.
双方同意开展电子签名互认技术工作，推动土耳其接入EPREL和CPNP系统，并加强反规避欧洲制裁的合作。

Brussels talks set priorities for market access

According to European Commission, as stated in the joint statement, the European Union and Türkiye hold the 3rd EU-Türkiye High Level Dialogue on Trade in Brussels on 13 October 2026, with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Türkiye's Trade Minister Ömer Bolat co-chairing the meeting.

The discussions review progress in bilateral trade relations, address customs and market access issues, and examine areas for deeper cooperation. Both sides underline the strategic importance of the relationship, describe the EU-Türkiye Customs Union as a central framework for trade, and discuss steps to improve conditions for companies and other economic operators. A business roundtable with representatives from the EU and Türkiye takes place before the dialogue.

On customs cooperation, the two sides welcome progress on customs reform, including e-commerce, and confirm their intention to advance implementation of their Mutual Recognition Agreement on Authorised Economic Operators. They also note Türkiye's alignment with relevant EU legislation and welcome completion of alignment with the new EU Machinery Regulation, which is presented as an important step for the free movement of goods across the Customs Union without technical barriers.

The parties also announce the removal of the barrier on import controls under Türkiye's TAREKS system, while saying constructive cooperation continues to address practical issues raised by EU operators. They also review other market access matters, including export taxes on hides, skins and wet-blue leather, the import surveillance regime, registration-based surveillance of textile imports and textile inputs, and alcoholic beverages, with both sides agreeing to continue technical engagement.

Customs, digital trade and sanctions coordination remain in focus

The dialogue also records progress on Türkiye's access to the EU's energy labelling registry, EPREL, and encourages further work on that track. The sides agree to begin technical discussions on Türkiye's access to CPNP and undertake talks on batch releases for pharmaceutical products.

Beyond immediate trade barriers, the meeting covers a wider set of forward-looking issues, including technical legislation alignment, public procurement, the circular economy, business mobility, digital trade, trade defence and cooperation within the WTO framework. The EU and Türkiye also take stock of cooperation on anti-circumvention of EU sanctions.

On digital trade, both parties agree to engage in technical work on mutual recognition of e-signatures. They say they will maintain close engagement in the coming period and continue working toward practical solutions that support a more predictable, transparent and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

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