David Cameron has declared himself the “strongest possible advocate” of Turkey’s ambition to join the European Union.
The Prime Minister, who is visiting the country, hailed it as central to unifying East and West and reducing international security fears.
Speaking in the capital, Ankara, Mr Cameron said Turkey’s unique position should see it play a key role in shaping the future of Afghanistan and helping broker peace in the Middle East.
And he called on the country to use its relationship with Iran to raise international concerns over its nuclear ambitions.
Mr Cameron will later cement his commitment by signing a “strategic partnership” with Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The agreement deepens trade, defence and cultural ties between the countries.
Mr Cameron’s support for Turkey’s EU bid defies many voices within his own party, as well as French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel, all of whom oppose its claims to full membership.
But the Prime Minister pointed to its support for the Nato military alliance as proof “Turkey deserves its place at the top table of European politics”.
“I believe it’s just wrong to say Turkey can guard the camp but not be allowed to sit inside the tent,” he said.
“Together, I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels.”
Mr Cameron’s trip is only his fifth overseas bilateral visit since taking office, underlining the importance the Government attaches to Turkey.
The country is the world’s 16th largest economy and is expected to be the third fastest-growing, after China and India, by 2017.
The Prime Minister will later head to the sub-continent in a bid to build a “special relationship” with the Indian government.
He will be joined by several other ministers, including Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne, for what is billed as a major trade and investment drive.
