UK foreign secretary praises Turkish relationship
The UK foreign secretary, Margaret Beckett, has said that the relationship shared between Turkish people and Britons is growing ever stronger thanks to tourism and property investment.
Speaking earlier this week during a visit to Turkey, Ms Beckett commented on the progress made by the country in its efforts to join the EU, adding that the UK would also remain one of Turkey's "staunchest allies".
She also highlighted the "very strong" and "developing" relationship between the British and Turkish peoples - something that should persist well into the future.
According to a Foreign & Commonwealth Office transcript of a Sky News Today broadcast, Ms Beckett commented: "[The] relationship between our peoples is growing in strength with every year that passes and many, many more people from my country come to yours on holiday - and indeed, some to buy property."
She added that UK government is "delighted" to make progress with Turkey's EU application during the British presidency.
Turkish officials have recently been liaising with Iran over the capture of 15 British navy personnel, who Iran says were trespassing into its waters - a fact Ms Beckett denies.
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