President Gül, during the joint press conference he held with President Jonathan, averred Nigeria to be one of Africa’s linchpins, sharing that there is much to do mutually in terms of the economic relations between Turkey and Nigeria.
President Abdullah Gül along with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan held a joint press conference on the occasion of the Nigerian President’s visit to Turkey.
FIRST PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO TURKEY FROM NIGERIA IN ELEVEN YEARS
President Gül underlined the fact that this is the first presidential visit to Turkey from Nigeria in 11 years, recalling that he had paid the first presidential visit to Nigeria last July.
Drawing attention to the deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Nigeria, where the former has had an embassy since 1960, when the latter gained her independence. Nigeria, he proclaimed, is a country contributing greatly to the resolution process in many issues in the continent, and stated that it is one of Africa’s key countries, pointing out that this country with its rich natural resources is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The President further underscored the strategic significance of Turkish-Nigerian relations.
ISSUES TWO PRESIDENTS HAVE DISCUSSED
President Gül, briefing the press that they have reviewed the bilateral relations between Turkey and Nigeria in many areas, evinced that they have displayed their will to augment the economic relations between the two countries. Referring to the almost 1 billion dollars in trade volume between Turkey and Nigeria, where there is great potential to conduct huge projects in terms of infrastructure, industry, energy and defense as well as petrol and gas investments, the President also noted that the two countries are enjoying a great period of cooperation in education as well. He further maintained that they have cultivated a good collaborative relationship within the UN, recalling that Nigeria, conducting the current chairmanship of the D-8, is serving at the UN Security Council (UNSC) after Turkey, which he said is in close cooperation in the Islamic Conference as well.
PRESIDENT JONATHAN: WE AIM TO BOLSTER OUR ECONOMIC RELATIONS
President Jonathan of Nigeria revealed his happiness to be visiting Turkey and informed his audience that he has brought a broad delegation of 10 ministers, 5 state governors, MPs and senior officials as well as scores of businessmen. He further declared that they aim to bolster the bilateral economic relations between Turkey and Nigeria, referring to the technological area in particular, offering his thanks to President Gül for Turkey’s support in education.
AGREEMENTS SIGNED
Prior to the press conference, the following agreements were signed between Turkey and Nigeria:
Agreement on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments; Agreement on the Cooperation in Tourism; Agreement on the Cooperation in Higher Education; Agreement on the Cooperation in Military; Cooperation Protocol.
(Presidency of the Republic of Turkey)
Posts
