Vahit Bıçak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bıçak Law Firm, participated in the Türkiye–Belgium Economic Forum held in Ankara on 13 May 2026 and attended the high-level meetings and networking sessions organized in the framework of the official Belgian economic mission to Türkiye. During the event, Prof. Dr. Vahit Bıçak had the opportunity to meet and take a commemorative photograph with Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium.

The forum represented one of the most significant Belgian economic delegations ever organized in Türkiye and highlighted the growing strategic importance of Türkiye–Belgium economic relations. The Belgian delegation included senior public officials, institutional representatives, investors, and business leaders from various sectors. Among the distinguished participants were Piet Demunter, CEO of Flanders Investment & Trade, and Johann J. L. Leten, CEO of the Voka Limburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During his remarks, Minister Maxime Prévot emphasized the deep historical, economic, and social ties between Belgium and Türkiye. He underlined the important role played by the Turkish community in Belgium, noting that approximately 270,000 people of Turkish origin are successfully integrated into Belgian society, with some serving as members of parliament and governors. He described the Belgian mission as the largest economic delegation sent to Türkiye from abroad and stressed that this reflected the strategic importance Belgium attributes to its relations with Türkiye.

Minister Prévot further recalled that the first trade agreement between Belgium and the Ottoman Empire was signed in 1838 and emphasized that the two countries are now building new economic and political cooperation upon this longstanding historical foundation. He highlighted Ankara’s importance not only as the political capital of Türkiye but also as a major economic center representing the broader industrial and commercial potential of Anatolia. Referring to the approximately EUR 12 billion trade volume between Belgium and Türkiye in 2025, he stated that both countries should aim to double this figure in the coming years.

A particularly important aspect of the discussions concerned the modernization of the Belgium -Luxembourg – Türkiye Investment Agreement signed in 1986. Minister Prévot stressed the necessity of updating the agreement in line with contemporary economic realities and investment standards and confirmed Belgium’s willingness to initiate and facilitate this process politically and institutionally.

During the event, Prof. Dr. Vahit Bıçak also emphasized the fundamental importance of the rule of law, legal certainty, protection of property rights, freedom of expression, judicial independence, and transparent regulatory frameworks in establishing, maintaining, and expanding international trade and investment relations. He underlined that sustainable foreign direct investment and long-term economic partnerships can only flourish in an environment where investors and businesses enjoy predictability, legal protection, and confidence in institutions. Prof. Dr. Bıçak additionally stressed the importance of accelerating Türkiye’s European Union accession process and strengthening Türkiye’s integration with European legal, economic, and institutional standards.

The Türkiye – Belgium Economic Forum also demonstrated the increasing importance of cross-border legal advisory services in international commerce, foreign direct investment, compliance, trade regulation, dispute resolution, sanctions compliance, corporate structuring, and regulatory risk management. As international economic relations become more sophisticated and interconnected, businesses operating between Türkiye and Belgium require comprehensive legal support capable of navigating multiple jurisdictions, regulatory systems, and commercial environments.

Bıçak Law Firm continues to provide strategic legal services to Turkish and international companies, investors, chambers of commerce, and institutions in relation to cross-border trade, foreign investment, international commercial law, regulatory compliance, sanctions and export controls, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, corporate governance, due diligence, and investment structuring. With its strong international orientation and extensive experience in international legal cooperation, the firm remains committed to contributing to the strengthening of commercial and investment relations between Türkiye, Belgium, and the broader European market.

The participation of Bıçak Law Firm in the Türkiye – Belgium Economic Forum reflects the firm’s continuing commitment to supporting international business dialogue, facilitating foreign investment, and promoting legal and institutional frameworks that foster sustainable economic cooperation between Türkiye and Europe.