Turkish President Abdullah Gül and his Zambian counterpart Rupiah Banda held a joint press conference on Monday following their meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Speaking at the press gathering, Gül said Turkey was ready to improve cooperation with Zambia in the fields of agriculture, mining, energy and transportation, adding that Turkey would pay close attention to the African continent and especially Zambia.
Gül said Turkey was set to open an embassy in Zambia as part of a wider program to launch diplomatic missions in their continent.
Gül said Turkey had boosted relations with African countries over the last years with a view to improve economic, trade and political ties as well as to help them overcome their problems.
Gül said he paid frequent visits to African countries, adding that Turkey had received the support of nearly all African countries to win a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Prior to the press conference the two governments signed agreements to boost cooperation on civil aviation as well as to establish channels for political consultations.
ZAMAN
Unfortunately, ba RB mate the wrong man, fellow country men. President Gul does not have power in Turkey. His visit to Turkey would have made impact if he mate Bashkan Erdogan. Gul is not the head of the country, nor the government and has little influence.:-?
xioto do not be a fool. RB is a Head of State and met Gul as Head of State. He will Erdogan later as Head of Government. Go to school fool and do not mislead people. Just like when a Head of state visits the UK or Germany they meet the Queen first in UK and then PM later and in Germany they meet the President then the Chancellor.
Such meetings and memoranda are good – in the long term – for Zambia. When Turksih Airlines start flying into Lusaka, that should help bring in big-spenders from Ankara and other parts of Turkey. And with Turkey opening an embassy in Lusaka, it would be easire to influence more Turkish investment.If RB concentrates on these kinds of economy-focussed diplomacy, he will help lift Zambia’s international image and the economy.
Am thinking in between the lines…
1. Gül said he paid frequent visits to African countries… Not Zambia. BTL?: Not an important country.
2. “.. adding that Turkey had received the support of nearly all African countries to win a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council” BTL?: The reason behind all this?
3. RB invited to Turkey. can someone tell us how many african leaders have been invited to Turkey? BTL?: A little more support from an African country would help a little bit. Tired of seeing all the IMPORTANT countries so who can come here??? RB! He’s known for reckless travel. Sure he will come. Lets invite him!
Ba “i told u so….” mwakula fye nesele mukanwa and less of the school you are talking about. I am sure you have been heavily provoked by my observation. I am just being open about what I know as a Zambian who have lived in Turkey for a long time. Schooled? I have had enough of school.
RB being used by Turkey to get a permanent seat on the Security Council. Dear me ..he even gets half his cabinet and wife to just go and be paraded by Turkey. Wow!! Interesting . RB turned national Bootlicker by Turkey. Anyway , don’t give support until Turkey first helps you set up a national airline. After all they have Turkish Airlines which is 5 star. Let them help us improve our aviation industry by building aviation schools and build a world class airport, then we shall give them our vote for a permanent seat, Not just mere talk we have had enough.
I have no problem with RB building credible bilateral relationships as he did with Lula but his sudden love for these islamic countries is worrying me. Libya and now Turkey who are now trying to align themselves more with the rest of islamic countries and away from the west, especially looking at their standoff with Israel. This is not good. we honeslty don’t want to be a launch pad for terrorist cells and activities in the the Soutehrn African region seeing that there are no islamic states here. am getting woried. Libya, Turkey. Nigeria is a mess from all the religious violence.
Thank you Digga for the intelligent words. Black countries need to implement strategic awakening now. Islamic states are a no no.
Instead of fighting over who should have had a meeting with RB and all the other senseless stuff, let us for a second say a prayer for all our brothers and sisters in Uganda who have lost their lives.
And 2006 is not very long ago even for those with short memories. A poorly organized PF, at that time, nearly swept the MMD out of power. What about the 2008 presidential elections? Who can doubt Michael Sata’s very good performance in that election? Since 2006, PF has been in total control of all the key urban areas of Zambia.
Ba #1, 5 Just accept when you are corrected. Does not matter whether you have lived in Turkey or not, by convention for some govt set ups you have to meet the head of state first, then head of Govt. Even when RB is going there its the head of govt who makes the arrangements. You may have enough education in your opinion but its nowhere near enough…
No. 1 Batata ba Xioto – please learn to be humble and heed correction. President Gul is not the “wrong” man for President Banda to meet. Gul is the head of state, just as RB is. Thereafter RB will meet other Turkish leaders. It is called “protocol”. It’s not about who is more “powerful” than the other.