“A Concrete Sign of Cooperation Between the Two Countries”
Speaking at the meeting, Jill Morris, the UK Ambassador to Ankara, stated that the forum is a concrete indicator of the partnership between the two countries in the railway sector. Morris emphasized that Türkiye is both a NATO ally and a G20 member, adding that the two countries have strong ties in many areas, including defense, energy, tourism, trade, and transportation.
Morris noted that the trade volume between the UK and Türkiye has reached approximately 28 billion pounds, highlighting that this figure continues to grow every year. She also stated that work is underway to broaden the scope of the existing trade agreement.
“High-Speed Rail to Bursa Will Enter Service in 2026”
Yalçın Eyigün, Director General of Infrastructure Investments at the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, underlined Türkiye’s long-standing railway heritage. Stressing Türkiye’s strategic position between China and London, Eyigün referred to the Zangezur Corridor as the most prominent example of this importance.
Eyigün stated that three major railway projects are currently underway, some of which are being carried out with UK support. “The Bandırma–Bursa–Yenişehir–Osmaneli high-speed rail line will enter service up to Bursa next year. The Mersin–Adana–Osmaniye–Gaziantep line, exceeding 300 kilometers, connects four provinces. These lines will carry not only high-speed trains but also freight,” he said.
Highlighting that railways contribute not only to connecting cities but also to social development, Eyigün added, “These projects are not just transportation projects; they are civilization projects. Our goal is to protect nature while bringing societies closer and making life easier.”
Hydrogen Train Memorandum Signed
Peter Hendy, the UK Minister for Rail (Department for Transport), said in a video message that cooperation between the two countries in the railway sector is strengthening and that the forum would be an important step toward developing joint solutions.
Following the opening speeches, the two countries signed the UK–Türkiye Hydrogen Train Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding. Under the MoU, a dialogue mechanism will be established between the two nations, and a roadmap for the production of hydrogen-powered trains in Türkiye will be prepared. The parties will carry out joint work and consultations within this framework.
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