Minister Işıkhan Held Official Talks in Belgium
Minister of Labour and Social Security Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan went to Brussels, Belgium, to hold various official talks and attend programs.
As part of his contacts in Belgium, Minister Işıkhan met with the Ambassador of Türkiye to Brussels, Görkem Barış Tantekin, and wished success in their duties to Ambassador Tantekin and the Embassy personnel, who continue their efforts to strengthen the relations between Türkiye and Belgium.
Subsequently, within the scope of his contacts in Brussels, Minister Işıkhan met with Ambassador Yaprak Balkan, Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the European Union. Wishing her continued success, Işıkhan commended Balkan for her successful representation of Türkiye before the European Union.
Subsequently, within the scope of his contacts in Brussels, Minister Işıkhan met with business people, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and politicians of Turkish origin in Belgium.
In his speech, Minister Işıkhan emphasized that the Turkish community in the country adds value to Belgium's economic and social life while simultaneously strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Türkiye and Belgium.
Pointing out that the responsibilities undertaken by the Turkish community in politics, local administrations, civil society, and the business world make significant contributions to safeguarding the rights and interests of the Turkish community and carrying relations between the two countries further, Işıkhan added that the first generation who came to Belgium carried a heavy burden and that their vision was of critical importance.
Highlighting the momentum gained by Türkiye-Belgium economic relations in recent period, Minister Işıkhan recalled that the Belgian Economic Mission Delegation visited Türkiye on May 10-14 under the chairmanship of Queen Mathilde.
“We Will Work Together to Further Develop Relations Between Türkiye and Belgium in Every Field on the Basis of a Win-Win Approach”
Noting that the visit was extremely important and productive in terms of developing economic and commercial relations, Işıkhan stated, "In the upcoming period, we will work together to further develop the relations between Türkiye and Belgium in every field on the basis of mutual benefit and a 'win-win' approach."
Stating that AK Party Deputy Chairman Zafer Sırakaya has also carried out important work in the context of developing Türkiye-Belgium relations, Minister Işıkhan noted, "The most important instruction given to us by our Mr. President is that our citizens abroad must never be left alone."
Stating that within this framework, the primary duty of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is to protect the rights acquired by citizens living abroad in the fields of working life and social security and to provide them with effective, fast, and high-quality services, Işıkhan said that with this understanding, many services have been digitized and the number of attaché's offices has been increased.
Listening to the demands and problems of the participants and taking notes, Minister Işıkhan stated that he would closely follow all issues brought to the agenda.
The meeting was attended by AK Party Bingöl Deputy Zeki Korkutata, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Brussels Barış Tantekin, and Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) Ambassador Yaprak Balkan, alongside numerous representatives of the Turkish community.
Later, within the scope of his contacts in Brussels, Minister Işıkhan visited the Brussels Regional Presidency of the Union of International Democrats (UID) and came together with Regional President Yusuf Taşpınar and its management.
Işıkhan wished success in their activities to the UID family, which carries out operations to protect the rights and interests of citizens abroad—particularly in Europe—and to ensure their strong presence in economic, social, and cultural fields.