UK, Türkiye relationship ‘stronger than ever,’: British minister

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The UK-Türkiye relationship is "stronger than ever" and cooperation on defense will continue to strengthen, UK's Minister for Defense Procurement, James Cartlidge, said Wednesday.

Cartlidge met Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Celal Sami Tufekci and the head of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency, Dr. Haluk Gorgun, at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.

"We share an enduring defense partnership with our respective industries, and we are committed to addressing our shared security challenges," Cartlidge said following ministerial meetings at the IDEF.

"It was a pleasure to meet the Turkish Deputy Defense Minister and President of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency, and I look forward to continuing to deepening those ties," he added.

The British Defense Ministry said a range of issues, including equipment, export and opportunities for increased collaboration in various fields were discussed in the meetings.

It emphasized that the relationship between the two countries has been strengthening in recent years.

"In recent years, the relationship between the two nations has gone from strength-to-strength, with a strong and growing defense industrial relationship with Türkiye that covers air, land and sea domains, and in particular the UK industry continues to work with Turkish counterparts to develop their TF-X Combat aircraft," it added.