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Theresa May 'to discuss trade' with President Erdogan on Turkey visit UK and Turkey to enhance trade links, says Theresa May
(about 4 hours later)
Theresa May is set to discuss a post-Brexit trade deal with Turkey during weekend talks in the country with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Theresa May has said the UK will enhance trade relations with Turkey after talks with the country's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The prime minister arrived in Ankara from the US, where she met President Trump. The prime minister said Turkey was one of Britain's "oldest friends" but there was much that could be done to build on that relationship.
A new trading relationship with Turkey following the UK's exit from the European Union would form part of discussions, Number 10 said. Mr Erdogan announced that Turkey aimed to increase trade with the UK to $20bn (£16bn) a year from $15.6bn.
The PM is also expected to discuss security, Mrs May's spokeswoman said. Mrs May and Mr Erdogan also discussed Cyprus, Syria and aviation security.
The spokeswoman added: "They will be discussing a new trade relationship [and] a strategic security partnership." The prime minister said they agreed to have a joint working group to prepare the ground for the UK's post-Brexit trading relationship.
It comes as Brexit Secretary David Davis predicted a "round of global trade deals" would be "fully negotiated" within 12 to 24 months, coming into force when the UK leaves the EU. As they spoke to the media, she said: "You mentioned, Mr President, the opportunities for enhancing the trade between our two countries. And we've discussed that.
The government plans to begin the formal two-year Brexit process by triggering Article 50 by the end of March. "And we both want to build on our existing links. And I believe that doing so will be to the benefit of both our countries and for the prosperity of both our nations."
Mrs May described the discussions as "very fruitful".
Mr Erdogan said: "The UK and Turkey will enjoy a very different nature and a very different position."
Analysis - By defence and diplomatic correspondent Jonathan MarcusAnalysis - By defence and diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus
Both Ankara and London find themselves in a position where they need friends. Many fear that Turkey - a key Nato ally - is heading towards a more authoritarian future under President Erdogan.Both Ankara and London find themselves in a position where they need friends. Many fear that Turkey - a key Nato ally - is heading towards a more authoritarian future under President Erdogan.
He is clamping down on dissent and press freedom, pushing his country further away from the prospect of EU membership and in the process drawing strong criticism from European governments.He is clamping down on dissent and press freedom, pushing his country further away from the prospect of EU membership and in the process drawing strong criticism from European governments.
Mrs May arrives as an advocate of "global Britain" - this policy a necessity following the Brexit decision.Mrs May arrives as an advocate of "global Britain" - this policy a necessity following the Brexit decision.
The UK has a strong security relationship with Turkey - an ally in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) - and she will also be seeking preliminary understandings on bilateral trade.The UK has a strong security relationship with Turkey - an ally in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) - and she will also be seeking preliminary understandings on bilateral trade.
But she will need to show her domestic critics that the growing emphasis on trade in Britain's relationships abroad does not come at the expense of values such as human rights.But she will need to show her domestic critics that the growing emphasis on trade in Britain's relationships abroad does not come at the expense of values such as human rights.
Mrs May's first prime ministerial visit to Turkey comes as President Erdogan is increasing pressure on opponents following the failed military coup in July 2016. Mrs May's first prime ministerial visit to Turkey comes as Mr Erdogan is increasing pressure on opponents following the failed military coup in July 2016.
Asked whether Mrs May would raise human rights concerns since the coup, the spokeswoman said Britain had "expressed our strong support for Turkey's democracy and institutions following the coup". "I am proud that the UK stood with you on July 15th last year in defence of your democracy," she said.
In further unrest, 39 people were killed in an attack on a New Year's Eve party at a nightclub in Istanbul. "Now it is important that Turkey sustains that democracy by maintaining the rule of law and upholding its human rights obligations as the government has undertaken to do."
IS said it was behind the attack and the militant group was linked to at least two other attacks in Turkey last year. Nearly a month ago, 39 people were killed in an attack on a New Year's Eve party at a nightclub in Istanbul.
IS said it was behind the assault and the militant group was linked to at least two other attacks in Turkey last year.
Meanwhile, it was later announced that the UK has agreed a £100m defence deal to help Turkey develop fighter jets for its air force.
Mrs May said the agreement, between BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries, "underlines once again that Britain is a great, global, trading nation".
The prime minister arrived in Ankara from the US where she met US President Donald Trump.
It comes as Brexit Secretary David Davis predicted a "round of global trade deals" would be "fully negotiated" within 12 to 24 months, coming into force when the UK leaves the EU.
The government plans to begin the formal two-year Brexit process by triggering Article 50 by the end of March.