UK, Türkiye sign defense cooperation agreement

BIRMINGHAM, England

The Turkish and British defense ministers signed a statement of intent on defense cooperation in Ankara on Thursday, the British Defense Ministry said.

“This will provide the framework for closer working to deliver additional activities that will benefit the security and prosperity of both countries and, in so doing, enhancing national, regional and international security," a ministry statement said.

The agreement is aimed to realize closer collaboration between both countries’ defence industries, the identification of possible joint training exercises in the Mediterranean and the exploration of security support around North Africa and the Middle East.

“Türkiye stands at the crossroads of three continents and, at a time of such global instability, their influence cannot be underestimated. The agreement we’ve signed will see our relationship go from strength-to-strength and enhance our nations’ defence and security co-operation,” Shapps said in his first face-to-face meeting with Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler.

The defense secretary also welcomed the progress made on Sweden’s accession to NATO and hoped to see Turkish ratification through parliament.

“As well as discussing the need for de-escalation in the Middle East, the defence secretary thanked his counterpart for utilizing Türkiye’s influence as the gatekeeper to the Black Sea to enable the export of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain to nations who need it most,” the press release said.