President Erdoğan: We have a common will with Senegal to enhance our cooperation in every area

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Macky Sall of Senegal held a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex.

Expressing his happiness to be hosting President Sall and his delegation in Ankara, President Erdoğan said: “I would like to extend my welcome again before you. As you know, we had a very fruitful visit to Dakar in February. During that visit, we, inaugurated with Mr. President the Dakar Olympic Stadium, built by Turkish entrepreneurs.”

“WE HAVE DISCUSSED OUR RELATIONS IN DETAIL”

Recalling that an official opening ceremony for the Turkish Embassy’s chancellery in Dakar took place as well during that visit, President Erdoğan said: “And today, Mr. Sall has officially inaugurated the new chancellery of the Senegalese Embassy in Ankara. We have a common will with Senegal to enhance our cooperation in every area. In this context, we have discussed in detail our relations in economy, trade, investments, defense industry and the fight against terror. Besides our bilateral relations, my Senegalese counterpart, who has been the term chairman of the African Union since last February, and I have exchanged views on global and regional issues, as well, such as the Ukraine crisis and grain corridor.”

Noting that joint fight against terrorist organizations, particularly FETO, was also on their agenda, President Erdoğan stated: “On this occasion, I once again thanked my treasured friend for the support they have provided to Türkiye on this matter.”

Drawing attention to the upward trend in economic and trade relations between Türkiye and Senegal, President Erdoğan highlighted that the bilateral trade volume in 2021 rose from 380 million dollars to 540 million dollars, up 42% year-on-year.”

“OUR GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE 1 BILLION DOLLARS TRADE VOLUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”

“We have increased this figure to 574 million dollars in the first ten months of this year. Our goal is to reach the level of 1 million dollars as soon as possible. As I emphasize on every occasion, we as Türkiye always enhance our economic relations with Africa in a just and balanced manner that advances the both sides’ interests. We conduct our trade relations on a win-win basis. While we had just 12 embassies in Africa in 2002, we now have 44 embassies operating across the continent. Likewise, the number of African embassies in Ankara has risen to 38.”

Stressing that Turkish contracting companies implement successful projects in Senegal as well, just like all across the world, President Erdoğan said: “Our companies contribute to the Senegalese economy not only in the areas of construction and contracting but in manufacture as well. They are active in the areas of energy, steel production, healthcare, food industry, ready-mixed concrete production and gold-processing. The total value of projects and investments in this context have reached 1.5 billion dollars.”

“WE COOPERATE CLOSELY IN THE AREA OF DEVELOPMENT”

Noting that Türkiye and Senegal cooperate closely in the area of development as well, President Erdoğan said: “Our TİKA has implemented many projects in Senegal since 2007, reaching out to our Senegalese brothers and sisters. We also continue to provide education scholarships to Senegalese students both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We will inshallah continue to stand with the Senegalese people in the period ahead, too. With these thoughts in my mind, I would like to thank again, in your presence, Mr. President and his delegation for their visits and extend my greetings to the Senegalese people.”