Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Administrator
Published on 2024-02-14 08:24:36
The Ambassador of Turkey in Angola, Alp Ay, recently stated in Luanda that the cooperation relations between the two countries have reached a level of “perfection”, following reciprocal visits of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço. The heightened level of bilateral contacts between the two nations was a cause for satisfaction for the diplomat, who also highlighted the significant importance of President João Lourenço’s visit to Turkey in July 2021.
Mr. Alp Ay pointed out that the mutual visits of the Heads of State resulted in the signing of more than 20 protocols in different areas of cooperation, including Education, Industry, Defense, Justice, Agriculture, Culture, Sports, and Commerce, among others. He emphasized that the current status as strategic partners of Angola reflects a political will to strengthen this cooperation even further.
Diplomatic relations between Angola and Turkey have been in place since 1980 and are supported by cooperation agreements covering various sectors such as Education, Fisheries, Science and Technology, Oil and Gas, Industry, and Agriculture. In the interview, Mr. Alp Ay provided insights into the political, economic, and social status of Turkey.
He highlighted Turkey’s global and regional role as a mediator in balancing conflicts on the world stage and particularly in the region. Turkey’s participation at the talks between the United Nations (UN), the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, as well as its hosting of the largest number of refugees in the world, were cited as examples of its international involvement. However, the Ambassador also acknowledged the challenges faced by Turkey due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and external conflicts.
Regarding Turkey’s aspirational full membership to the European Union (EU), Mr. Alp Ay expressed the need for political will on both sides for the negotiations to resume. He emphasized that Turkey is still committed to its candidacy and believes that it will require time to determine the subsequent steps for the process.
In terms of NATO enlargement, the Ambassador shared his support for the entry of new members, provided that there is full trust and consent among existing members. He highlighted the role of NATO as a crucial security organization and underscored the responsibility of all members to respect its general principles.
On the economic front, Mr. Alp Ay discussed the challenges faced by Turkey in the current international context marked by the political crisis between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized the need for dialogue and the negative economic effects of conflicts, emphasizing the importance of finding peaceful resolutions.
Discussing Turkey’s plans to help Africa’s development, the Ambassador highlighted the country’s long-term projects aligned with the strategic plan of the African Union (AU). He emphasized the importance of tangible and impactful projects, especially in infrastructure development, and emphasized Turkey’s extensive diplomatic presence in Africa with approximately 46 diplomatic representations.
In conclusion, Mr. Alp Ay reiterated Turkey’s commitment to strong regional partnerships and solid bilateral relations with Africa, and the value placed on cooperation and solidarity in contributing to Africa’s development.
Read the original article on The Angola Press Agency
