ANKARA - British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Turkish capital Ankara for one-day working visit on Monday.
Blair is the first British prime minister visiting Turkey after 14 years.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be received by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
After their meeting, Erdogan and Blair will hold a joint press conference.
Blair will attend the working dinner hosted in his honor by Erdogan.
Bilateral, regional and international issues concerning the two countries particularly Turkey-European Union (EU) relations, Cyprus, fight against terrorism, NATO summit to be held in Istanbul in June and Iraq are expected to be taken up during Blair`s meetings.
Blair is expected to confirm Britain`s support to Turkey`s EU process and give messages to end isolation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in his meetings in Ankara.
Sources say that direct flights between Britain and TRNC could be discussed within this framework.
Blair is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Turkey and Britain in fight against terrorism.
British Prime Minister Blair will leave Turkey this evening after completing his meetings in Ankara.
PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received on Monday British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is currently in Ankara for one-day working visit.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Volkan Bozkir also attended the meeting.
(AA) 17.05.2004