UK Ambassador to Ankara Anderson said relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom were growing stronger and outlined his country’s approach to developments in Gaza and the West Bank.
Anderson said he began his posting in Ankara after presenting his credentials to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on September 8. Anderson, who had previously served as deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Ankara, said he worked as director for consular and crisis affairs after leaving Türkiye.
Anderson said he managed relief efforts in Türkiye following the 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. The ambassador said he was happy to return to Ankara and was familiar with Çankaya, Tunalı Hilmi Avenue and Ulus.
Life in Türkiye and Turkish cuisine
Anderson said he had studied Turkish, read Turkish newspapers and followed television programs in Turkish. He said he was interested in Turkish idioms and liked the expressions “kuş uçmaz kervan geçmez” and “aynı tas aynı hamam.”
Describing Turkish cuisine as “incredible,” Anderson said his favorite dish was collard green rolls. He said he ate collard green rolls with his family during a holiday on the Black Sea coast and katmer with his children during a visit to Gaziantep.
Türkiye-UK relations
Anderson said relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom were strong and growing stronger, noting that the “Strategic Partnership Framework Document” was signed in April and the “Security and Defence Partnership Document” in July.
Anderson said trade between Türkiye and the UK had risen from £17 billion to £28.6 billion. He added that the number of British tourists visiting Türkiye had increased from 1.7 million in 2020 to 4.4 million this year.
Anderson said negotiations on a new free trade agreement were continuing and that cooperation was deepening in migration, defence, development, science, technology, innovation and the transition to green energy.
Anderson said Türkiye and the United Kingdom were two important NATO allies. He said the Security and Defence Partnership Document signed in Ankara during the NATO summit reflected the determination to develop defence industry cooperation across all sectors.
Statement on Gaza and the West Bank
Anderson commented on the decision by 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Norway and Canada, to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Anderson said the United Kingdom had changed its approach and that what was happening in Gaza and the West Bank could not continue. He said Britain would not remain silent while people endured further suffering and that the full implementation of a two-state solution was a core policy of his government.
Anderson said they wanted to continue working in the region with the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Group of Eight, whose statements on developments in Palestine he welcomed.
Anderson said the new measures had been announced to support a two-state solution and prevent Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He said they would continue to assess the Israeli government based on its actions. Anderson added that they expected a new approach from Israel regarding Gaza and the West Bank.
