Turkey |
United Kingdom |
Turkish–British relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Turkey and the United Kingdom. Relations between Britain and Turkey go right back to the early 16th century, when the first strong contacts between Britain and the Ottoman Empire developed as trading interests in Britain sought new market outlets in the East. The two nations have been at war several times, such as within the First World War. They have also been allied several times, however, such as in the Crimean War. Both countries currently maintain relations via the British Embassy in Ankara[1] and the Turkish Embassy in London.[2]
Turkey and the United Kingdom maintained good bilateral relations.[3] The President of Turkey Cevdet Sunay paid a state visit to the United Kingdom in November 1967.[4] The President of Turkey Kenan Evren paid a state visit to the United Kingdom in July 1988.[4] HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid state visits to Turkey in October 1971, and in May 2008.[5] Britain and Turkey are both members of the G20, and Britain supports the accession of Turkey to the European Union.
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The Ottoman Empire, of which Palestine was a part, broke up shortly after the First World War and was officially dissolved in 1923. Palestine was previously a part of the Ottoman Empire. Britain had declared its intention to support the creation of a Jewish "homeland" in the Balfour Declaration, 1917. Note the declaration deliberately did not use the word 'state' preferring and concluding on the word 'homeland'. The British had, in the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence, previously been in discussions with the Hashemite family concerning the concept of an independent Arab state. These discussions remained inconclusive and vague but contained the implied support from Britain of an independent Arab state in exchange for a successful Arab Revolt during World War I. The British, under General Allenby during the Arab Revolt under the guidance of British intelligence officers, the most famous being T. E. Lawrence, contributed to the defeated the Ottoman forces in 1917 in which British and French forces occupied the Sinai and the majority of Greater Syria. The land was administered by the British for the remainder of the war.
The United Kingdom was granted control of Palestine by the Versailles Peace Conference which established the League of Nations in 1919 and appointed Herbert Samuel, a former Postmaster General in the British cabinet, who was instrumental in drafting the Balfour Declaration, as its first High Commissioner in Palestine. In 1920 at the Conference of Sanremo, Italy, the League of Nations mandate over Palestine was assigned to Britain. In 1923 Britain transferred a part of the Golan Heights to the French Mandate of Syria, in exchange for the Metula region.
The Ottoman Empire ceeded the island of Cyprus to the United Kingdom in 1878. The UK formally annexed Cyprus as a British colony in 1914. Britain maintained two sovereign area military bases on the island in Cyprus after the country's independence in 1960. Turkey invaded the Northern part of the Island in 1974. Within three days, a cease-fire was declared. However, it quickly broke down, and Turkey launched another attack. The United Kingdom, with troops and aircraft in the area, considered military action to pre-empt the Turkish landing. In 1983, Turkish Cypriots declared the independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The United Kingdom does not recognise the TRNC. The TRNC is only recognised by Turkey. The UK is also a signatory to a treaty with Greece and Turkey concerning the independence of Cyprus, the Treaty of Guarantee, which maintains that Britain is a "guarantor power" of the island's independence.[6]
The United Kingdom is the second biggest importer of goods from Turkey, after Germany. Turkey exports around 8% of its total goods to the United Kingdom.[7] Around 2,000,000 Britons take holidays in Turkey every year, while 100,000 Turks travel to the UK for business or pleasure. However due to Late-2000s financial crisis trade between the two countries has been significantly declining.
The United Kingdom is a key supporter for Turkey's EU membership bid. According to Carl Bildt, Swedish foreign minister, "[The accession of Turkey] would give the EU a decisive role for stability in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, which is clearly in the strategic interest of Europe."[8] In May 2008, Queen Elizabeth II said during a visit to Turkey, that "Turkey is uniquely positioned as a bridge between the East and West at a crucial time for the European Union and the world in general."[9]
| Embassy of Turkey in London | |
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| Location | London SW1X 8PA |
| Address | 43 Belgrave Square, Belgravia |
| Ambassador | Office Vacant (Chargés d’affaires a.i.:Akın Alptuna) |
The Embassy of the Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Londra Büyükelçiliği) is Turkey's diplomatic mission to the UK. It is located in London at 43 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PA, Belgravia.
The current Turkish Chargé d'Affaires to the United Kingdom is Akın Alptuna.
The UK is increasing its diplomatic representation in Turkey.[10]
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