President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the European Union to modernize its customs union with Türkiye and advance visa liberalization talks, saying progress on the two issues would benefit all sides.
Erdoğan made the remarks at a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker following talks in Ankara on Aug. 10.
“I stressed to the chancellor that steps by the EU, particularly on modernizing the Customs Union and advancing the visa liberalization dialogue, would be in all our interests,” Erdoğan said.
Bilateral trade reached about $4.5 billion in 2025, and the two countries aim to raise the figure to $5 billion this year, he said.
More than 1,000 Austrian companies operate in Türkiye, while Austrian direct investment has exceeded $11 billion. Turkish investment in Austria is approaching $1 billion, Erdoğan added.
He proposed replacing the existing Joint Economic Commission with a Joint Economic and Trade Committee, whose first meeting could be held before the end of the year.
Erdoğan cited green energy, critical minerals, advanced technology, transport and the defense industry as areas with potential for closer cooperation, including projects supporting the Middle Corridor.
Stocker described Türkiye as a key country for Austria and the EU on security and migration. He said the two countries cooperated closely against irregular migration, human trafficking and organized crime, and praised Türkiye for hosting Syrian refugees for more than a decade.
Closer cooperation on the return of third-country nationals was needed to prevent another migration crisis, Stocker said, adding that the EU should not repeat its past mistakes.
The two leaders also discussed Syria, Gaza, Ukraine and the Balkans.
Erdoğan said Türkiye remained committed to Syria’s territorial integrity and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while calling for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza and Austrian support for Syria’s reconstruction.
Stocker said Russia’s war against Ukraine must end and praised Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts. He also said Türkiye’s voice carried considerable weight in the Middle East.
