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Theresa May in Turkey: UK agrees £100m defence deal | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Britain has agreed a £100m defence deal to help develop fighter jets for the Turkish air force. | |
The announcement came as UK Prime Minister Theresa May met the Turkish president and prime minister in Ankara. | |
Mrs May said the defence agreement "underlines once again that Britain is a great, global, trading nation". | |
She said the UK would enhance trade relations with Turkey, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would increase trade to $20bn (£16bn). | |
The defence agreement between BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries is for the Turkish Fighter Programme. | |
The deal would pave the way for a deeper defence partnership and help to safeguard key roles at BAE Systems, the announcement says. | |
Mrs May said: "It marks the start of a new and deeper trading relationship with Turkey and will potentially secure British and Turkish jobs and prosperity for decades to come." | |
BAE Systems chief executive Ian King said it "signals an exciting next step in relations between both Turkey and the UK". | |
The contract was announced after talks with Prime Minster Benali Yildirim. | |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Mark Lowen, BBC Turkey correspondent | By Mark Lowen, BBC Turkey correspondent |
With trade top of the agenda, this defence deal will be welcomed by Theresa May as a sign of what post-Brexit Britain can achieve in bilateral talks. | With trade top of the agenda, this defence deal will be welcomed by Theresa May as a sign of what post-Brexit Britain can achieve in bilateral talks. |
Her government has been keen to increase British trade with another big economy on the cusp of the EU - so expect enhanced dealings with Turkey to come. | Her government has been keen to increase British trade with another big economy on the cusp of the EU - so expect enhanced dealings with Turkey to come. |
Security cooperation too was under discussion, with Europe depending on Turkey to defend its eastern flank. | Security cooperation too was under discussion, with Europe depending on Turkey to defend its eastern flank. |
And importantly, Mrs May raised the issue of human rights, perhaps placating her critics in the UK who said she was wrong to go cap in hand to Turkey. | And importantly, Mrs May raised the issue of human rights, perhaps placating her critics in the UK who said she was wrong to go cap in hand to Turkey. |
More than 140,000 people have been arrested, suspended or dismissed since the failed coup and Turkey is the world's biggest jailer of journalists. | More than 140,000 people have been arrested, suspended or dismissed since the failed coup and Turkey is the world's biggest jailer of journalists. |
She will have had to broach the topic carefully with a president who gives critics short shrift. | She will have had to broach the topic carefully with a president who gives critics short shrift. |
But after talks with two controversial leaders, Mrs May will emerge from these two days more versed in delicate diplomacy than ever. | But after talks with two controversial leaders, Mrs May will emerge from these two days more versed in delicate diplomacy than ever. |
Mrs May stated that Turkey was one of the UK's "oldest friends" but much more could be done to build on that relationship. | |
For his part, Mr Erdogan announced that Turkey aimed to increase trade with the UK to $20bn a year from $15.6bn. | |
Mrs May said Britain and Turkey would establish a joint working group to prepare the ground for the UK's post-Brexit trading relationship. | |
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. | |
"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." | |
Mrs May had come under pressure to raise human rights issues with Mr Erdogan on her first prime ministerial visit to Turkey. | Mrs May had come under pressure to raise human rights issues with Mr Erdogan on her first prime ministerial visit to Turkey. |
A state of emergency has been imposed, involving waves of arrests, numerous media outlets closed and many public officials removed since the failed military coup in July 2016. | A state of emergency has been imposed, involving waves of arrests, numerous media outlets closed and many public officials removed since the failed military coup in July 2016. |
Mrs May said: "I am proud that the UK stood with you on July 15th last year in defence of your democracy. | Mrs May said: "I am proud that the UK stood with you on July 15th last year in defence of your democracy. |
"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." | "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." |
Mrs May and Mr Erdogan also discussed Cyprus, Syria and aviation security. | Mrs May and Mr Erdogan also discussed Cyprus, Syria and aviation security. |
The prime minister said Turkey and Britain were working together in Syria to fight so-called Islamic State and create the conditions for peace. | The prime minister said Turkey and Britain were working together in Syria to fight so-called Islamic State and create the conditions for peace. |
Nearly a month ago, 39 people were killed in an attack on a New Year's Eve party at a nightclub in Istanbul. | 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. | IS said it was behind the assault and the militant group was linked to at least two other attacks in Turkey last year. |
The prime minister arrived in Ankara from the US where she met US President Donald Trump. | The prime minister arrived in Ankara from the US where she met US President Donald Trump. |
Earlier, 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 left the EU. | Earlier, 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 left the EU. |
The government plans to begin the formal two-year Brexit process by triggering Article 50 by the end of March. | The government plans to begin the formal two-year Brexit process by triggering Article 50 by the end of March. |