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The United Kingdom (UK) and Türkiye completed the third round of negotiations on an Enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with talks held in Ankara during the week beginning November 17, 2025, the UK government announced on Thursday.
According to the statement, the discussions marked a step forward in deepening bilateral trade ties, with both sides reporting progress across a range of economic sectors.
Talks advanced meaningfully in services, where negotiators explored pathways to ease cross-border operations. Discussions covered financial services, professional and business services, and domestic regulation. Both sides also reviewed procedures related to temporary entry and stay, aiming to support short-term assignments and business mobility.
On trade in goods, attention shifted to unlocking new market opportunities, particularly for UK exporters. Negotiators addressed customs procedures and trade facilitation efforts, targeting a smoother flow of goods. Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures were also discussed, with the goal of reducing compliance burdens and improving predictability for agricultural and food-related products.
Beyond market access, delegations worked to align positions on labor practices, anti-corruption policies, and environmental cooperation. They also exchanged views on intellectual property enforcement, procurement rules, state-owned enterprises, and subsidy regulations. Mechanisms for resolving trade disputes and ensuring regulatory transparency remained active points of discussion.
"Economic growth is our first mission in government and FTAs have an important role to play in achieving this," the statement said. "A stronger trade relationship with Türkiye will contribute to jobs and prosperity in the UK."
Initially launched in June and followed by a second round in September, the FTA negotiations build on the existing trade agreement between the two countries and aim to establish more comprehensive, forward-looking provisions.
The UK and Türkiye’s trade volume reached £28 billion ($37.6 billion) on an annualized basis as of the second quarter of 2025, ranking Türkiye as the UK’s 17th largest trading partner.
The next round of negotiations is expected to take place in early 2026.
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