Turkey hails Zambia

THE TURKISH Government has extolled Zambia’s credentials due to its political stability which has contributed to economic development within and outside its borders.

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director–General and Chief of State Protocol Ambassador Sevki Mutevellıoglu said Turkey admired Zambia’s rich history and political stability, which had contributed to the wellbeing of both the country and the region. According to the first secretary for press at the Zambian Embassy, Jerry Munthali, Ambassador Mutevellıoglu said this in Ankara when Chargé d' Affaires of Zambia in Turkey, Bwalya Nondo, paid a courtesy call on him to exchange views on how relations between the two countries can be enhanced further. Ambassador Mutevellıoglu described Zambia as an important and brotherly country with extremely promising potential for stronger relations with Turkey. “President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attaches great importance to the relations with Africa and Zambia in particular. We don’t have negatives to talk about, everything else is positive and the future is very bright,” Ambassador Mutevellıoglu said. He described Zambia as an important country with extremely promising potential for stronger relations with Turkey in various areas of endeavours. He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey would do everything possible to consolidate the warm ties between the two countries. And Mr Nondo expressed confidence that relations between Turkey and Zambia would reach higher heights and called for enhanced cooperation in various fields including sports, within the framework of cultural diplomacy. “We are grateful for the support Turkey is rendering to the development agenda of our country. In order to promote cultural diplomacy we also want to tap into the sporting excellence of various Turkish Football Clubs like Fenerbaçhe. We would also appreciate assistance in the establishment of sports academies as nurseries that can nurture players to international standards,” Mr Nondo said. He also appealed for more capacity building from the Government of the Republic of Turkey, through provision of scholarships, especially in the area of science and technology. He also reiterated the need for a direct flight to Lusaka by Turkish Airlines to enhance trade relations and promotion of tourism between the two countries. He further expressed confidence that high-level exchange visits between the two countries would be encouraged and hoped that, the pending visit to Zambia by Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu, would materialise soon.