Starmer set to pay visit to Ankara
ANKARA
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to visit Ankara on Oct. 27 to enhance cooperation and ties between the two countries, the office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced.
Starmer’s visit comes at Erdoğan’s invitation, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran confirmed on social media Oct. 26.
“The discussions will cover the strategic dimensions of Türkiye–U.K. relations, founded on close alliance, as well as current regional and international developments,” Duran stated.
The announcement follows widespread reports that the British prime minister’s first official visit to Türkiye aims to finalize a multibillion-dollar Eurofighter Typhoon deal.
Citing multiple sources, several reports said ahead of Starmer’s visit, two Eurofighter jets were sent to Ankara, although it remains unclear whether the aircraft will remain in Türkiye or were dispatched for symbolic purposes.
Ankara first announced its interest in acquiring 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets in late 2023. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multirole fighter jointly produced by European defense giants Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.
Although initial procurement was delayed due to German objections, the Eurofighter deal is expected to be completed as part of a comprehensive arrangement that includes both newly manufactured jets and transfers from the inventories of Qatar and Oman, according to media reports.
Erdoğan also said that he held talks on the plan to obtain Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Qatar and Oman during a regional tour to the Gulf, adding that discussions were going well.
In a recent interview with Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency, Airbus Defense and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn expressed optimism, stating that negotiations on selling Eurofighter jets to Türkiye are approaching their final phase and could soon reach a successful conclusion.
