WINDHOEK – Bilateral trade between Namibia and Turkey doubled since Turkey opened a fully fledged embassy in Windhoek in 2012, to reach US$10 million (about N$97 million) worth of goods traded. This is according to the Turkish Ambassador to Namibia, Murat Ahmet Yörük, who expounded on the growing inter-trade between the two countries at the celebration of his country’s 90th independence anniversary in Windhoek recently.
“Turkey is committed to further enhance the existing friendly relations between the two countries, on a unique and special ground, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and further co-operation in every field possible,” the ambassador said.
He said since the opening of the embassy the Turkish diplomatic staff have been working hard to set the legal ground for many areas of further cooperation, from political dialogue, trade and investments, to aviation, the military, education and visa facilitation.
“Namibia has long standing relations of friendship with Turkey, since the early 1960’s and Turkey has closely followed Namibia’s struggle for freedom and independence. Turkey also provided Namibia all kinds of political and financial support within her capacity,” Yörük said citing Turkey’s decision to support UN Security Council Resolution 2145 in 1966 as the only “co-sponsor” from the Western Group. “Following this decision, Turkey was one of the founding members of the UN Council for Namibia and as an active member made various contributions to the UN Namibia Fund and UN Institute for Namibia,” he said.
Turkey initiated the ‘Opening to Africa Policy’ in 1998 and the number of Turkish embassies and consul offices in Africa have since increased from 12 in 2005 to 34 diplomatic mission offices in 2013.
“Today, as a consequence of this policy, bilateral trade between Turkey and Africa increased from US$3 billion in 2002 to US$19.5 billion as at 2012. Turkish Airlines fly to 37 destinations in 27 countries throughout Africa. With its 13 offices in Africa, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency carries out development assistance projects throughout the continent. Programs that were developed specifically for Africa such as the Agricultural Development Program of Africa, the African Health Program and Vocational Training Program of Africa, indicate the importance that we place on the continent,” he said.
By Fifi Rhodes