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British Foreign Secretary David Lammy commended Türkiye's diplomatic initiatives during talks with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara, highlighting the country's efforts to halt Russian attacks and secure a long-awaited ceasefire in Ukraine.
"We want to express our appreciation for the work Türkiye has carried out," Lammy said, following his meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
"They made very important efforts to stop Russia's attacks. They made efforts to achieve the cease-fire we have been waiting for a long time."
The British minister emphasized the frequency of diplomatic contact between the two nations, noting that during his year-long tenure as Foreign Secretary, "not a single month passed without meeting or being in contact with the minister (Fidan). Most of the time, we had contact several times a month."
Lammy described this regular communication as evidence of close cooperation between Türkiye and Britain, pointing to strong cultural ties between the two countries.
He projected that "this year, most likely 5 million of our citizens will come and spend time in your country, which is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and experience Turkish hospitality."
The foreign secretary highlighted significant economic potential in bilateral relations, particularly regarding an upcoming free trade agreement between the two nations.
"In the coming weeks and months, we are eagerly awaiting the negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement," Lammy said. "The Free Trade Agreement will actually have a trade volume potential of 28 billion pounds. Turkish and British business worlds will come together, and companies will work together."
He characterized the agreement as both a sign of strong business cooperation and an indicator of collaboration between the two peoples.
Lammy acknowledged that his meeting with Fidan took place amid a challenging geopolitical environment. He specifically praised Türkiye's role in conflict resolution efforts, stating, "Especially in the Russia-Ukraine War, they made very important efforts to establish peace, to stop Russia's attacks. They made efforts to establish peace in the Black Sea region to achieve the ceasefire we have been waiting for for a long time."
The British minister noted the human cost of the conflict, observing that "over 1 million Russian soldiers lost their lives in this process" and referencing attacks on Ukraine's energy supply and civilians.
On Middle Eastern issues, Lammy said, "Within the framework of work carried out regarding Gaza, we are working to alleviate the humanitarian crisis here and for a two-state solution for the Palestinian people."
Syria also featured prominently in the bilateral discussions, with Lammy expressing gratitude to his Turkish counterpart: "I am very grateful to Minister Fidan, especially for the work he carries out together with us."
The talks underscored the strategic partnership between Britain and Türkiye across multiple regional challenges, from the war in Ukraine to humanitarian crises in Gaza and ongoing developments in Syria.
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