Erdogan points to strength of UK-Turkey trade on protested London visit

Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on a three-day visit to London. On Sunday, he noted that the United Kingdom is the second largest export market for Ankara and hoped for better relations between both countries in the post-Brexit era.

“The United Kingdom is the second largest export market for us in Europe. Our total business volume [with the UK] is over $16 billion. We will continue to work together to increase it to $20 billion,” Erdogan said during a speech at the Turkish-English Tatlidil Forum in the UK.

Before leaving Turkey, Erdogan told journalists that his country “pays special attention to cooperating with the United Kingdom.”

There are plans in the works for Turkish Aerospace Industries to develop the country’s own “5th generation” fighter jet, which would rely on Rolls-Royce’s engine-building expertise. 

Analysis by the Quwa Defence & Analysis Group in February 2017 “put the TFX’s all-inclusive (flyaway plus long-term maintenance) cost at $280 million a unit.”

“The steps we have taken in terms of the fight against terrorism, we have secured Europe and the whole world,” Erdogan reiterated at the forum in London.

At an event arranged by the TURKEN Foundation, he encouraged Turkish nationals in Britain to participate in Turkey’s the elections on June 24. Doing so, he claimed will maintain “the 16-year period democracy” if he wins, referring to the period of his rule in Turkey. Otherwise all Turkey’s “achievements” will be lost.

“I wish your votes and those of your family and friends will be in favor of a big and powerful Turkey,” said Erdogan.

He will address Chatham House and meet with British investors at Bloomberg, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. He is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II on his multi-day visit.

 

 

Kurdish protests

 

On his way to the TURKEN event, Erdogan’s convoy encountered a group of Kurdish protesters tried to block his way.

 

The protesters held portraits of the jailed leader of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan, YPG flags, and portraits of Erdogan labeling him as a “terrorist.”

 

They chanted: “Fascist, terrorist, thief, and murderer Erdogan.”

 

The protesters clashed with the police and a 17-year-old Kurdish boy was tackled by a police officer outside the Wokefield Estate near Reading, claimed the Kurdistan Students Union.

 

Thames Valley Police anticipated the pro-YPG and PKK demonstrations and pro-AKP counter-protest clashes which often follow Erdogan’s state visits to Europe.

 

“We facilitated a protest by pro-Kurdish groups at a location outside Reading today. Some of the protesters attempted to block the passage of vehicles. Police tactics were deployed to protect the protesters and keep the road clear for vehicles,” tweeted the police.

 

A Kurdish civil society campaign claimed that one of the protesters was “beaten” by police.

 

“Kurdish activsts blocked the presidential convoy of Turkish fascist Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Reading, UK. Protesters were beaten by police. Ambulance being called,” tweeted the Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign on Sunday.