British PM Starmer to visit Türkiye for high-level talks on Monday

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to Türkiye on Monday for his first official visit since taking office, the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications confirmed.

Directorate Chair Burhanettin Duran announced via social media that Starmer is visiting Ankara at the formal invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two leaders are expected to hold discussions on strengthening Turkish-UK ties, deepening strategic cooperation, and addressing key regional and international developments.

The visit comes as Ankara and London continue negotiations over the potential sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye. Reports suggest the long-anticipated procurement — initially delayed by German reservations — is close to completion, with a package combining newly built aircraft and transfers from the fleets of Qatar and Oman currently under consideration. Türkiye first signaled interest in acquiring 40 Eurofighter Typhoons in late 2023.

Produced collaboratively by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, the Eurofighter is a twin-engine multirole aircraft regarded as one of Europe’s most sophisticated fighter platforms. The UK remains a core member of the consortium.

Starmer and Erdoğan last held talks earlier this month in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, during a summit pushing for a Gaza cease-fire. The most recent senior British visit to Türkiye was made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy on 30 June, when he met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Starmer’s upcoming trip signals a renewed diplomatic push as both nations look to reinforce cooperation on defense, security, and regional diplomacy.