Cameron calls for more trade with Turkey

David Cameron is calling for a step-change in trade links between Britain and Turkey, setting out an ambition of doubling their value over the next five years.

The Prime Minister has been speaking to business leaders in Ankara and says the business relationships between the two countries are vital.

He criticised those who oppose Turkey joining the European Union, saying they made him "angry".

The PM said Turkey ought to be Britain's most important trade partner in Europe.

"Everyone's talking about the BRICs - the fast-growing emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China," he said.

"Turkey is Europe's BRIC. And yet we export more to Ireland than we export to Brazil, Russia, India, China and Turkey all combined. No disrespect to our partners in Ireland, but we have to change that."

Speaking to Turkey's equivalent of the British chambers of commerce, he called for less protectionism and more Turkish investment in the UK.

"We're encouraging British business to be more ambitious in developing new markets - as Turkish business has done," he said.

"Vodafone, Tesco and HSBC are just three of the big British investments already in Turkey. I want to see many, many more.

"Today the value of our trade is over nine billion dollars a year. I want us to double this over the next five years.

"We cannot let the protectionists win. The truth is that trade is the biggest wealth creator we've ever known, and it's the biggest stimulus we can give our economies right now."

Mr Cameron's comments came as he took aim at those creating obstacles to Turkey joining the EU, including France and Germany. Many Tory right-wingers also oppose the idea of a Muslim country becoming a member of the bloc.