Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in an official ceremony in the capital, Ankara, on Monday afternoon. Erdogan and Starmer are expected to attend the signing ceremony of agreements between the two countries and hold a joint press conference this evening.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter deal will top the agenda of the talks, along with defense and economic cooperation, and the two countries’ positions on pressing regional issues, including developments in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. The Turkish side was represented at the reception by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Gler, Secretary General of the Presidency Hakki Sozmaz, and Turkish Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertas.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in the Turkish capital, Ankara, this afternoon for an official visit as part of the Turkish President’s busy schedule of diplomatic meetings. The two sides are scheduled to hold talks on bilateral relations and regional developments. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Gler received the British guest at Murted Air Base in the capital, where an official reception ceremony was held in the presence of a number of Turkish officials. This is Starmer’s first visit to Turkey since assuming the British Prime Minister’s office.

He was accompanied on his visit to Ankara by British Defense Secretary John Healey and the Commander of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Harf Smith, indicating the security and defense aspects expected to be discussed during the talks, along with political and economic issues. The visit comes at a time when the region is witnessing rapid developments related to regional security, cooperation in the defense industry, and the fight against terrorism. It also falls within the framework of Ankara and London’s efforts to strengthen their strategic partnership following Britain’s exit from the European Union and the growing Turkish role in Middle Eastern and European affairs.

The Eurofighter Typhoon deal is a top priority for Starmer’s visit, amid Turkey’s ongoing efforts to conclude a contract to purchase 40 of the aircraft, valued at several billion pounds, according to British and Turkish sources. This deal, if completed, would represent the first major export order for this European model since 2017. It was paved by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the defense ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the International Defense Industries Fair in Istanbul last July.