Turkish ambassador optimistic about robust ties with Banjul
By Sulayman Waan
The Turkish ambassador to The Gambia, Tolga Bermek has expressed optimism that the brotherhood and friendly relations between the two countries would be tighter in various sectors in the future.
In his statement on the occasion of the celebration of the 99 anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey held at Ocean Bay Hotel, he said: “I truly believe that in the years ahead our friendly and brotherly relations with The Gambia in all fields will further be strengthened with our cooperation. As the Turkish Embassy in Banjul we will spare no effort to this end.”
“Türkiye highly values the friendship of The Gambia and we are willing to develop wherever it’s possible political, economic, commercial, and technical cooperation for the mutual benefit of our two countries. We are proud to say that our relations have gained momentum since 2011 with the opening of Embassies in our respective capitals.”
He said besides political and economic relations, there is an increasing interaction between Turkish and Gambian peoples, especially in the fields of business and education.
Our national flag carrier Turkish Airlines carries out three flights a week between İstanbul and Banjul, he said.
“Many Gambian students travel to Türkiye for under and post-graduate education every year, most of whom are scholarship holders. Since its establishment in The Gambia, International Maarif School has committed itself to provide the highest quality education for students in a peaceful learning environment.”
“On the health sector, a certain number of Gambian patients with irreversible diseases are treated in Türkiye every year under full financial support from the Turkish government,” the Turkish diplomat said.
The cooperation in the area of military and security, he noted, is one of the main pillars of the two countries since the establishment of the Turkish Gendarmerie Training Team for the Gambian military in the early 1990s.
“During the last 30 years, thousands of Gambian soldiers have been trained either in Türkiye or in The Gambia. This year, 500 personnel of the Gambian Armed Forces have completed a very successful training programme in Türkiye and proved their readiness for deployment to the Quick Reaction Force earmarked for a UN peacekeeping mission,” he noted.
Moving forward, he said, Türkiye and The Gambia have remarkable cooperation in the international arena, particularly at the United Nations and The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which are the two largest intergovernmental organisations.
“The Gambia has been undertaking important roles in the international arena. Filing a case for Rohinghas before the International Court of Justice, the forthcoming OIC Summit to be held in Banjul and prospective OIC Summit Chairmanship are the most important milestones.”
SW/COB/02/11/22
