British Prime Minister Theresa May listens to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of their meeting at 10 Downing Street on May 15, 2018 in London, England. 
British Prime Minister Theresa May listens to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of their meeting at 10 Downing Street on May 15, 2018 in London, England. 

Erdogan takes his election campaign to London



At the end of a three day visit to the UK, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in no doubt that Turkey is a friend that Britain, and indeed Europe, cannot afford to lose.

A controversial deal signed in 2016 bought a near complete halt to the flow of refugees crossing into Europe. Mr Erdogan has threatened to re-open those routes. With Turkey home to 2.5 million refugees, Europe quivers at the prospect.

Turkey also represents the sort of trade partner that Brexit visionaries hope will galvanise the country’s economy independently of the EU.

Magdalena Kirchner, a fellow at the Istanbul Policy Centre, said the visit by Mr Erdogan can be seen in the light of shifting relations between the UK and Turkey. “In the past UK-Turkey relations were mostly managed through NATO and the UK, Brexit and the de facto standstill of Turkey's accession process opened a new debate on both sides about rebranding their relations – especially with regard to economic and security cooperation"

Turkish trade with the UK is already estimated at $25 billion, optimists hope it could rise to $30 billion when the UK leaves the EU.

That trade extends to the arms trade, with UK companies playing vital roles in one scheme that has become emblematic of Mr Erdogan’s efforts to increase Turkey’s presence on the world stage. Following the signing of a £100 million (dh495.8 million) contract last year in Ankara, British firm BAE Systems have become critical to the engineering of the TAI TFX fighter jet, a pet project of Mr Erdogan’s to create the first Turkish fighter jet. Another British firm, Rolls Royce, will build the engines.

But the Turkish leader’s trip was not without controversy. Mr Erdogan’s visit to Downing Street was met with protests from the UK’s Kurdish diaspora who shouted "he’s killing humans" and others saying his visit made them feel "physically sick". Protesters also made themselves audible throughout his address at foreign policy think tank Chatham House.

Mr Erdogan has clamped down on dissent since an attempted coup in July 2016. More than 50,000 Turks have been arrested including academics, policemen, and hundreds of journalists.

A Downing Street spokesman vowed Prime Minister Theresa May would raise human rights issues during their meeting.

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Thousands say 'that's enough' to Turkey's Erdogan on Twitter

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A photo shoot between Mr Erdogan and footballers Mesut Ozil and İlkay Gündoğan, both Germans of Turkish descent, saw the stars criticised in Germany for being “manipulated” into participating in the president’s reelection campaign.

Ms Kirchener suggested that, for Mr Erdogan, the trip is just as much about domestic politics as it is foreign relations. “The meeting comes at a crucial time at home where voters could hold him accountable for the disastrous economic situation on June 24.

“High level visits and photo-ops with the Queen and international football stars can to a certain extent divert the attention of the public and portray him as the chief interlocutor with the West, politically and with regard to investors" she adds.

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5