Marking a pivotal moment for Euro-Atlantic diplomacy, UK Defence Minister Lord Coaker has concluded a high-profile four-nation tour across the Western Balkans and Türkiye, reinforcing
Britain’s commitment to regional stability and international defence cooperation.
The visit, spanning Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, and Türkiye, underscores the UK’s proactive "diplomacy-first" defence strategy ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara this July.
Strengthening the Euro-Atlantic shield
Lord Coaker’s tour focused on deepening ties with key partners to counter evolving global threats:
Montenegro: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s independence, the Minister met with Prime Minister Spajić to discuss NATO modernization and continued joint support for Ukraine.
Serbia: Highlighting a shared history, Lord Coaker laid a wreath at the Commonwealth War Cemetery before engaging with senior Serbian defence officials to discuss long-term regional security.
Kosovo: At Camp Novo Selo, the Minister met with UK personnel serving in NATO’s KFOR mission. He reaffirmed the UK’s dedication to the Kosovo Security Force's alignment with NATO standards, ensuring lasting peace for all communities in the region.
A landmark industrial partnership with Türkiye
The tour culminated in Istanbul at SAHA 2026, Türkiye’s flagship defence and aerospace exhibition. Building on the momentum of the recent £8 billion Typhoon export agreement, Lord Coaker met with Turkish political and industry leaders to solidify a burgeoning industrial alliance.
The Minister engaged with representatives from titans of UK industry, including BAE Systems, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce, highlighting how international exports directly enhance domestic sovereign capabilities.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker said: “Our partnerships are our strategic strength and my meetings with friends and allies this week show the importance of deepening defence cooperation, and standing together as increasing threats challenge our security and stability.
That spirit of stronger cooperation extends to our defence industries, including our Typhoon exports to Turkey. Working with trusted allies boosts British businesses, drives innovation and supports highly skilled jobs at home.
By investing in these partnerships abroad, we strengthen our own capabilities and security at home”.
Summary of key engagements
|
Country |
Key Focus Areas |
Notable Meetings |
|
Montenegro |
NATO Modernisation & Ukraine Support |
PM Spajić, Minister Krapović |
|
Serbia |
Historical Commemoration & Defence Policy |
Gen. Mojsilović, Asst. Minister Miloradović |
|
Kosovo |
KFOR Peacekeeping & NATO Alignment |
Kosovo Minister of Defence |
|
Türkiye |
Typhoon Export & Industrial Innovation |
Turkish Military & Industry Leaders |
Looking ahead: the road to Ankara
This diplomatic mission serves as a critical bridge to the NATO Summit in Ankara this July. By investing in these regional partnerships, the UK continues to position itself as a central pillar of Euro-Atlantic security, ensuring that collective defence remains robust in an increasingly uncertain global climate. Photo by Gov.uk, Wikimedia commons.
