Turkey and President Erdogan Seek Grain Corridor Partnership with England
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has discussed various topics including the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement, the free trade agreement between the UK and Turkey, and the situation with Bashar Assad’s administration in Syria.
Regarding the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement, Cleverly expressed hope that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would recognize its importance and help save people from starvation and lower international grain prices. He commended President Erdogan’s efforts in securing the grain deal and called on Russia to join the initiative.
Cleverly accused Russia of prioritizing its political interests over addressing worldwide hunger, emphasizing that the ball is in Russia’s court to participate in the grain agreement.
The UK Foreign Secretary also highlighted his country’s support for Ukraine and stated that Britain would continue backing Kiev until Russian troops withdrew from Ukraine.
In addition, Cleverly announced that the UK and Turkey would begin negotiations for a new and modernized free trade agreement. He underlined that the UK government aims to finalize these agreements as soon as possible, considering Turkey as a strong and important friend with whom they want to expand business relations.
Regarding Syria, Cleverly mentioned the UK’s stance on Arab countries’ efforts to normalize relations with Bashar Assad’s administration. While the UK respects the decisions of these Arab countries, Cleverly stated that Assad should demonstrate a sincere commitment to creating a safe environment for Syrian refugees to return to their homeland. He also emphasized the need for Assad to collaborate with the international community in facilitating cross-border aid shipments to Syria, and the evaluation of his actions will be based on these efforts.
Overall, James Cleverly’s statements emphasize the importance of international cooperation, addressing global hunger, supporting Ukraine, and the potential for stronger UK-Turkey relations through a new trade agreement.
