British government to support Turkish EU bid
Britain's government is expected to reaffirm its support for Turkey's proposed membership of the European Union.
The country has been aiming to join the international body for the last two decades, although some member states including France have expressed their opposition to the move.
However, the UK government has been among those who have publicly supported Turkey's efforts to join the EU.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are on a four-day state visit to the country this week, with a delegation which includes foreign secretary David Miliband.
Commenting on the trip, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "It is a symbolic visit to reiterate UK support for democratic reform and modernisation in Turkey and continuous support for its eventual accession to the EU."
Prime minister Gordon Brown has also been among those to give public backing to Turkey's proposed EU membership.
Speaking at a recent press conference with his Turkish counterpart, he said he was in favour of the country becoming a full member.
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