Belgium, Turkey have over $11 billion trade volume

Belgium's trade volume with Turkey totals nearly 10 billion euros ($11.156 billion), its foreign minister said Wednesday.

Speaking at a conference in Brussels, Didier Reynders said the two countries should work together, especially in the areas of the economy, a customs union and investment.

Reynders also said he expects a meeting between Turkey and Belgium under the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which has not occurred since 2013, will take place in Ankara later this year.

He stressed that Turkey's presence in the European Council is "very important".

Turkish Ambassador to Belgium Zeki Levent Gümrükçü said Turkey sees Belgium "as an ally, a partner and a friend".