Türkiye and Burundi held the inaugural session of their Joint Economic Commission (KEK) in Ankara on June 16–17, 2026, marking a new step in efforts to expand bilateral economic and sectoral cooperation.

The meeting was co-chaired by Türkiye’s National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation Édouard Bizimana.

According to a statement from Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense, technical delegations from both countries held comprehensive discussions aimed at identifying new areas of cooperation and strengthening existing ties.

The agenda covered a broad range of sectors, including energy, industry, science, education, health, agriculture, environment, transportation, communications, culture, tourism, and military relations, reflecting both countries’ interest in diversifying their partnership.

Officials noted that current trade relations between Türkiye and Burundi remain limited but growing, with Turkish exports primarily consisting of defense-related products such as weapons and ammunition, along with food supplies. Burundi’s main export to Türkiye is coffee.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Güler and Minister Bizimana held a bilateral discussion, after which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the framework for the Joint Economic Commission.

Turkish officials described the talks as constructive and held in a friendly atmosphere, emphasizing that the new mechanism is expected to pave the way for deeper economic engagement and expanded cooperation between the two countries in the coming period. (ILKHA)