Britain’s Hague meets with Turkey’s Davutoglu in bid for closer ties on Middle East, trade

Britain seeks to bolster ties with Turkey

LONDON — British Foreign Secretary William Hague says he is holding talks with Turkey’s foreign minister aimed at improving the chances for peace in the Middle East.

Hague and Ahmet Davutoglu were meeting Thursday at London’s Foreign Office after Britain’s new government pledged to make improving ties to Ankara a key priority.

Davutoglu may press Hague for stronger condemnation of Israel over the botched raid in May on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza that ended with Israeli soldiers killing nine activists. Eight were Turkish and one was Turkish-American.

Turkey has been sharply critical of Israel over the incident.