The British Embassy in Turkey has hosted a St David’s Day reception to continue its work boosting UK-Turkey relations.
In December, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed a deal announced between Airbus, Rolls Royce and Turkish Airlines, which will support thousands of highly-skilled manufacturing jobs across the UK.
The news was a massive boost for staff at Airbus’ aerospace facility in Broughton, North Wales where the wings for the 220 new aircraft will be assembled.
Last night’s St David’s Day event – led by Ambassador Jill Morris, from Wales – celebrated the cultural links between Wales and Turkey, as the UK Government aims to build on the success of the Turkish Airlines deal to explore new trade opportunities.
Jill, who grew up in Flintshire just a stone’s throw away from Broughton, said: “Our ties with Turkey are stronger than ever.
“We now want to build on the success of the Turkish Airlines deal. We are certainly not resting on our laurels and are now in the process of starting negotiations on a new enhanced free trade agreement exploring areas such as digital trade and trade in services.
“St David’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the rich history, vibrant culture and unique language – Cymraeg – of Wales, my homeland.
“Wales and Turkey have increasingly strong trade and cultural ties, reflecting the dynamism and innovation in both nations.”
The Ambassador’s residence was lit up in green and red and a video message from Welsh Secretary David TC Davies was played to guests attending the St David’s Day event in Ankara, who were also treated to a North v South bara brith bake-off.
The Ambassador’s family recipe represented North Wales, while Welsh diplomat Consul Neale Jones’ grandmother’s secret recipe represented South Wales.
Neale, from Merthyr Tydfil, south east Wales, said: “The North v South debate over who makes the best bara brith has raged for years so were our guests able to put to settle this once and for all? Well, apparently, the South has it!
“This St David’s Day event is an opportunity to celebrate the very best of Wales. Not only do we manufacture world-class aerospace parts, but we produce some of the best food and drink products in the world, including bara brith.”
December’s Turkish Airlines deal with Airbus, included 150 A321 aircraft and 70 A350 family aircraft, the engines for which will be provided by Rolls-Royce’s plant in Derby.
Airbus opened its £350million ‘West Factory’ in Broughton, North Wales, in July 2003 and the 85,500 square metre site employs 1,200 people at peak production using leading edge manufacturing techniques to assemble and equip the wings.
In 2022, the UK’s world-class aerospace sector contributed £10.9 billion to the UK economy, exported around 70 percent of its domestic output and directly employed 108,000 high-skilled people, 90 percent of which are outside London and the South East. It is also a leading sector for high value apprenticeships, with 5,200 currently employed in sector.
The UK Government is supporting growth of the aerospace sector by providing £685 million in grant funding between 2022-25 for the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, and a further £975 million has been earmarked until 2030.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which employs over 16,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, is using St David’s Day to promote Wales across its extensive network.
Diplomats at Posts including Australia, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Qatar and Switzerland are all hosting or attending St David’s Day events.
The British Consulate in Sydney hosted a Welsh Government Export Market reception on Tuesday FEB27 supported by a Welsh choir.
Welsh Government and the UK Ambassador to Qatar, Neerav Patel hosted a celebration of Welsh culture and food and drink featuring a performance of the Welsh national anthem by the King’s College Doha choir on Wednesday evening FEB28.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:
“St David’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the important efforts of our many Welsh staff working across the UK Government’s global network, who are at the heart of delivering our foreign policy.
“Right across the world, our diplomats are using events like St David’s Day to showcase the best of British and strengthen our relationships with other countries to bring shared economic prosperity.
“The landmark deal between Turkish Airlines, Airbus and Rolls Royce is just one example of how the UK Government is working tirelessly, 365 days a year, to grow the economy and bring jobs and investment to every part of the United Kingdom.”
