Queen praises Turkey partnership
(UKPA) – 10 hours ago
Anglo-Turkish relations have been praised by the Queen as a “very modern partnership” as she highlighted the two nations’ growing closeness.
At a glittering Buckingham Palace state banquet in honour of Turkey’s visiting President Abdullah Gul, the Queen spoke of the shared histories of the two countries.
Strong economic and tourism ties between the UK and the republic were another theme of her address to the statesman and some 170 guests who included David Cameron, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.
In response, Mr Gul paid tribute to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee milestone which will be celebrated next year.
The Queen said: “It was another Queen Elizabeth who, in 1583, sent the first ambassador to what was then the capital of the Ottoman Empire.
“We fought on the same side in the Crimean War, and then were adversaries during the First World War. In more recent times, we fought together in Korea and became close allies in Nato.
“We have come through a great deal together to develop what is, today, a very modern partnership.”
Britain is forging closer links with Turkey, a country that straddles both East and West and is seen as bridge to the Middle East.
Its economy is booming, the UK is committed to increasing its trade with the nation and Mr Cameron’s Government is a strong supporter of Turkey’s push to become a member of the European Union.
The Queen said that during her state visit to Turkey three years ago with Philip, “we found a vibrant, economically-dynamic democracy”, going on to say “it is good to see that our commercial relations are booming, and our most enterprising businesses are investing in each other’s countries”.
via The Press Association: Queen praises Turkey partnership.
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