00:00Perfect. Can we just ask the pen, if possible, so I can note the different question and answer after.
00:09So, the custom unit.
00:14What about opposition?
00:15Okay, next question.
00:17Considering the NATO as a war.
00:19Of course, we consider that Turkey as the second largest army within the NATO.
00:30As really a strategic partner.
00:33Not only because that's a natural lie, but because you are also on a geographic, very specific and strategic place.
00:46You are the guardian of the south east flank of the urban continent.
00:54And that means a lot.
00:56And my colleague, the Minister of Defense, has mentioned, indeed, the role model of the investments made by the country,
01:08Turkey.
01:09Your defense spending by 300%.
01:16Of course, for a long time, Belgium has been, let's say, the bad people of the classroom within the NATO.
01:26But last year, we have achieved the famous 2% of investment rates, 2% of our GDP.
01:36And we will continue to invest.
01:38We have identified a spending trajectory for the military spendings.
01:45And we will continue to increase because we would like also to continue to be a reliable partner within the
01:53NATO.
01:54We are also hosting the headquarter of NATO.
01:59So, it is our duty to be exemplar.
02:03We are coming far from, let's say, an investment that has not been made for a long time.
02:14So, it will take some time to achieve the famous 3.5%.
02:19But we are, on a good way, in increasing our defense spending.
02:27You were talking about how I assess the potential U.S. withdrawal within the European continent.
02:43Frankly speaking, I do not think that we have to fear something specific.
02:49We know for a long time that U.S., and it is right, that the U.S. rightly came, Jane,
03:01to, let's say, organize differently its military presence within the European continent,
03:11taking into consideration or a part of the world.
03:15I'm thinking about a Pacific, for instance.
03:17So, it will be, let's say, I think, something that will be negotiated and discussed with the other governments.
03:26Belgium is, for the moment, not concerned.
03:31We do not have specific worries about that.
03:34I know that other countries within the EU have received, quite recently, order signals.
03:43But, of course, those things need to be discussed between the governments that are involved.
03:52But I can only speak in the name of the Kingdom of Belgium.
03:57And so, for the moment, we do not have any kind of specific worries.
04:01Considering the budget position related to the custom union, it is clear and transparent.
04:11We consider that this custom union needs to be reviewed because it doesn't make sense to manage economic issues in
04:232026 with an economic framework of three decades ago.
04:32So, the fact that this custom union has been signed in 1996, if I correctly remember, so three decades ago,
04:45focusing on that time only on specific goods, but not on services, for instance.
04:51Not considering the different ways to manage some disputes, for instance, it is not the right way to take mutual
05:02benefits of this custom union.
05:06That's a big asset for Turkey, but also for the EU.
05:10So, I think that it would be great if we can go faster and further and go forward in order
05:17to review this custom union.
05:19Of course, we know that we need unanimity, consensus, in order to relaunch the process.
05:26It means that we also have to correctly manage the, let's say, irritants between Turkey and Cyprus.
05:36And it's why I consider it is also important that Turkey continue to pay attention to this issue
05:45and to engage constructively with the other countries.
05:51Of course, the other countries have to respond positively.
05:55That's, I think, something that we need to manage together with a positive mindset
06:01in order to finally achieve an agreement
06:05and take the best possible material benefits of this new custom union.
06:15Someone else has a question?
06:19No?
06:21Perfect.
06:22Thank you so much.
06:23Enjoy.
06:26Thanks.
06:27Thanks for your time.
06:30Thank you.
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