Saturday, December 14, 2024

 

Nigeria, Turkey Sign Agreement On Energy, Defence, Industry, Others

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Not less than eight major agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) defence, industry, mining and hydrocarbons among others, were signed by President Muhammadu Buhari and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The pacts were signed after both leaders met at the Presidential Villa Abuja, and reflected on their similarities and areas of mutual cooperation open to Nigeria and Turkey.

Buhari and his Turkey counterpart jointly addressed reporters at the State House after their meeting.

Speaking about the positive gains of the Erdogan’ visit to Nigeria, President Buhari said both countries discussed issues and signed agreements that will further strengthen existing diplomatic relations between both countries, especially security and defence, as well as trade and commerce.

Buhari said: “I’m happy to welcome my brother, His Excellency, President Tayyip Erdogan, and his wife, First Lady of Turkey, that have been visiting Nigeria for the past two days. It is a reflection of our warm and cordial bilateral relations that this is the second time I’ve had the pleasure of receiving my brother in Abuja.

“During the visit, we had very useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey. The key issues we touched on included a series of bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that have been finalised.

“As a positive outcome, eight major agreements, MoU) on a number of the key sectors, including energy, defense, industry, mining, and hydrocarbons, among others, were signed today. We have agreed that implementation is to commence immediately.

“In the course of our discussions, we also reviewed the travel ban based on the revised COVID-19 protocols, and removed Turkey from Nigeria’s travel ban list. Turkey has indeed achieved remarkable success in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He commended his guest for providing a safe haven for about four million refugees, who had to flee their war-torn home countries in search to peace and safety.

“Finally, I commend your excellency for your leadership and generosity in receiving and accommodating four million refugees fleeing from conflict areas, particularly in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. You are indeed setting example to the rest of the world.”

In his speech interpreted by one of the officials on his entourage, President Erdogan recognised Nigeria as one of Turkey’s oldest allies in Africa, having seen 60 years of diplomatic ties.

He assured that that steps will immediately be taken to expand the trade volume between the two countries to $5 billion from the $2 billion it achieved last year.

Erdogan said: “Thanks for the bilateral discussions we’ve had with Nigerian President, Mr. Buhari, we’ve had the opportunity to observe and to assess all aspects and dimensions of the relations between Turkey and Nigeria and we had also exchanged our opinions and impressions as to how much further we can develop and strengthen our relations between our two countries. It gives me great pleasure to confirm once again that in terms of expanding our cooperation between the two nations, we share the same resolves.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we shall be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations and Nigeria hosts one of the oldest diplomatic missions of the Republic of Turkey on the African continent.

“Nigeria is one of the outstanding members of international organisations, such as the G8, OIC, ECOWAS and the African Union, as well as being one of the most leading countries of both this region, and the rest of the world.

“We should appreciate the tremendous efforts of Nigeria with eventual goal of bringing peace, stability, and economic development to the entire African continent. Nigeria holds the manufacturing position of the entire continent, and our trade volume between the two nations reached $2 billion last year. Thus, Nigeria became our most outstanding and the biggest trade partner in the sub-Saharan Africa for the Republic of Turkey.

“So, in order to cooperate further in the fields of military, defense, and security, we are doing everything that will be available.

“We are ready to share our ever-expanding capabilities, as the Republic of Turkey, with Nigeria, especially in the field of defense industry and security, which are being praised by the entire globe.

“This sensitivity that we showcase in fighting terrorism, I hope, will be reciprocated by our Nigerian brothers and sisters and our counterparts. As we’re probably aware, Turkey has been fighting against terrorist organisations for many decades, such as the PKK, PYD, FETO, DASH and other terrorist organisations.

“The perpetrator of the heinous failed coup of July the 15th, FETO, is still illegally active in Nigeria, and we are continuously sharing our intelligence with the Nigerian interlocutors and authorities. I hope and pray that our Nigerian brothers will forge a closer solidarity in this field with us, the Republic of Turkey. I hope and pray that our visit will yield the most auspicious results and I would like to thank my distinguished brother, President Buhari, for being such a gracious host for me and for my delegation”, he said.

He urged Nigeria to join force with his country in the fight against terrorism in the two countries.


Source-: THE NATION

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