Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham have discussed regional and global issues, as well as bilateral relations, in their first face-to-face meeting held on the margins of the 81st UN General Assembly.
During the meeting, President Erdogan said relations between the two nations were strengthening in all areas, according to a statement issued by Türkiye's Communications Directorate.
Erdogan expressed his belief that cooperation could be further advanced through steps in several areas, particularly the defence industry and trade.
Noting Israel's aggression in the region, Erdogan said Tel Aviv had repeatedly demonstrated through its actions that it does not seek peace in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, stressing the importance of pressure from the international community.
He said tensions were rising in Iran and Ukraine and that reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz could help restart the negotiation process.
President Erdogan said a state of deadlock prevailed over Ukraine, adding that attacks targeting Turkish or foreign commercial vessels in the Black Sea were making the situation even more complicated.
The Turkish leader said no formula regarding Cyprus would produce results unless the sovereign equality and international status of the Turkish Cypriots were recognised.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, his chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic and other officials attended the meeting.
Fidan-Miliband meeting
Later, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in New York, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
"Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, in New York," the ministry said on Tuesday.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
No further details on the topics discussed during the meeting were immediately available.
