(MENAFN) Türkiye and the United Kingdom are set to hold a third round of negotiations aimed at establishing a “next-generation” comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) to succeed the deal in place since 2021.

The previous two negotiation rounds, including the most recent in September, primarily addressed trade in goods, trade policy, health and plant health regulations, customs procedures, and trade facilitation. Both sides also explored opportunities to open new markets for agricultural products, enhance cooperation in health and plant safety, and streamline customs operations.

The talks have extended to services and investment sectors, covering financial services, telecommunications, legal services, maritime transport, postal and courier operations, and digital trade, with an emphasis on secure data transfer and investment protection. Intellectual property rights, regulatory practices, labor, environmental measures, and institutional provisions have also been discussed.

According to reports, the UK Department for Business and Trade described the second round as productive, highlighting progress in areas such as digital trade, financial and professional services, and investment. Both countries worked to reaffirm international commitments and identify shared priorities.

The third negotiation round, scheduled for November 2025, aims to finalize the FTA into a modern, comprehensive agreement. Officials in the UK anticipate that closer trade ties with Türkiye will support employment and national prosperity.

For Türkiye, the UK represents a strategically important market. With a population of 69 million, Türkiye offers significant consumer demand. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $22 billion, making the UK Ankara’s seventh-largest trading partner, with Türkiye maintaining an $8 billion trade surplus. The UK, in turn, counts Türkiye as its 16th largest trading partner, with trade between the two nations supporting more than 57,000 jobs across Britain in 2020.

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