Fatma Zehra Solmaz
23 April 2026•Update: 23 April 2026
Türkiye and the United Kingdom on Thursday have signed a 'Strategic Partnership Framework Document', establishing a renewed route to further advance bilateral relations and expand cooperation through closer dialogue.
According to statement shared by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the US social media platform X, the document was signed during a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary Yvette Cooper in London.
A joint statement shared by the Turkish Foreign Ministry's official website, stated that the Framework Document covers a wide range of areas, from security to climate change, and from humanitarian development to science and technology.
It aims to further strengthen the existing strategic partnership between the two NATO allies, and to expand the scope of cooperation enhanced through close dialogue at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
The statement added that the framework "creates a strong basis to strengthen dialogue and co-operation between our two countries as NATO Allies and strategic partners who share an historic friendship, excellent bilateral relations and common perspectives on a wide range of international issues and global challenges, including a strong desire for security and stability in the Middle East."
The statement further highlighted that the accelerating shift toward a fragmented, multipolar international order is heightening risks for both Türkiye and the UK, while underscoring the continued importance of deterrence and defense within NATO’s Strategic Concept in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security.
“NATO, the bedrock of our security and collective defense, has increased its political and military relevance,” it said, adding that “strong transatlantic relations are indispensable to peace and stability in Europe.”
The framework aims to deepen UK–Türkiye cooperation across a wide range of areas, including global security, NATO coordination, defense and industry collaboration, counterterrorism, and humanitarian efforts. It also expands joint work on climate change, energy security, and partnerships in science, technology, and innovation.
The joint statement highlights that the Framework “reaffirms our intention to increase bilateral trade and investment”, including through talks on a "modernized Free Trade Agreement" aimed at supporting shared economic growth.
"The talks in London today underline that relations between the UK and Türkiye are rooted in strong economic and growth ties, a shared commitment to the defense of Euro-Atlantic security and enduring people-to-people links which continue to enhance mutual understanding and goodwill," the statement noted.
