• Minister says Belgium can learn much from Türkiye in drone technology to counter hybrid threats

BRUSSELS

Belgium's Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Francken highlighted Türkiye's essential role in European security, stating: "We need Turkish people, we need Turkish industry, Turkish politics, Turkish diplomacy."

"I think it was a great day. We need to cooperate together with Türkiye and Belgium. Türkiye has a really strong defense, strong defense industry, big companies," Francken told Anadolu, reflecting on his participation in the first Türkiye-Belgium Defense Industry Day on Dec. 8.

The minister attended a reception hosted by Türkiye's Ambassador to Brussels Baris Tantekin at the ambassador's official residence.

"Belgium is a smaller country. We don't have the same army, the same altitude of the army, we don't have the same skill," he added.

He said that both countries possess advanced technological infrastructure and stressed the importance of companies from Türkiye and Belgium coming together and networking.

'We need Türkiye'

Responding to a question on whether Europe could remain secure without Türkiye's participation in joint defense initiatives, Francken said: "Everybody who knows a bit about geopolitics knows that we need Türkiye because (of) the position they have in Europe, the strengths they show, the military capabilities that they have, that we don't have, also on technology, innovation, big companies that they have."

"We need Turkish people, we need Turkish industry, Turkish politics, Turkish diplomacy. I think that it's very important. I don't believe in a scenario without Türkiye within our framework, so we need to work together," he added.

'We really can learn a lot from Türkiye'

On cooperation with Türkiye to counter rising drone activities in Belgium, Francken said: "Yes, absolutely. I think that Türkiye is one of the countries who is the most progressive when we talk about innovation technology on drone."

He highlighted that Türkiye has played a pioneering role in this field alongside Ukraine, emphasizing that it has significant capabilities and a strong innovation capacity.

"We really can learn a lot from your country," Francken said, noting that collaboration could help Belgium address threats posed by hybrid warfare involving drones.

'2026 will be very fruitful year'

Francken described Türkiye-Belgium bilateral relations as "very good," noting that the two NATO members have always stood together strongly.

He said diplomatic and industry-focused contacts, including his summer visit to Türkiye, have progressed very well, saying: "I think that it will be a very fruitful year, 2026 will be really highlighting our relationship, our bilateral relationship between Türkiye and Belgium."

He shared that Belgium's Princess Astrid will lead a major economic and trade delegation to Türkiye in May 2026, with the visit expected to last about one week.

Francken also recalled that the NATO Leaders' Summit will be held in Ankara in July 2026, where many defense industry representatives, including Belgian companies, will attend.

He expressed hope that the summit will result in agreements in technology, defense, and innovation, enabling both nations to advance in protecting their people and shared values.