Addressing at the Turkey-Nigeria Business Forum, President Gül laid emphasis upon developing of the bilateral relations between the two countries to which Turkey attaches great importance.
President Abdullah Gül along with his Nigerian counterpart attended the Turkey-Nigeria Business Forum. Offering his thanks to President Jonathan of Nigeria for the successful D-8 Summit, the President predicted that Nigeria would conduct its term presidency successfully.
Attaching great significance to the development of the bilateral relations between Turkey and Nigeria both of which have great cooperation potential, the President said: “We focused on our cooperation in especially trade, defense industry and the energy field during our talks with President Jonathan today.”
“TURKEY ALWAYS EXPRESSES HER RESPONSIBILITY FOR AFRICA”
The President, noting that Turkey’s interest is not only in Nigeria but also in all the other African countries, underscored that this interest was humane rather than economic motives, referring to the friendship between the two countries established during the Ottoman Empire. He continued: “The inequalities between the North and South should definitely be overcome. That while some people in one of the world can enjoy life, others suffer from hunger, diseases and lack of education cannot be acceptable and tolerable. Turkey always expresses her responsibility for Africa in every platform. It approaches Africa with humane responsibilities.”
Drawing attention to the importance of investment besides commerce, President Gül called upon Turkish businessmen to create partnerships and make investments in Nigeria, emphasizing the significance of the balance in commercial relations. He also informed his audience that a decade ago, the trade volume between the two countries was only 28 million dollars whereas he said today it rose over 800 million dollars.
COOPERATION IN THE ENERGY FIELD
Referring to the importance of the cooperation in the energy field, the President suggested that Nigeria could sell Turkey petroleum and petroleum products and he also noted that another sector in which the two countries could cooperate might be construction, stating that Turkish contractors, having carried out 160 billion dollar Project so far, placed second in the world in this field. “We as statesmen have duties to Grant you opportunities and provide you with suitable atmosphere.”
JONATHAN: D-8 HAS MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS THANKS TO TURKEY’S FARSIGHTEDNESS”
President Jonathan of Nigeria maintained that thanks to Turkey’s vision and farsightedness D-8 progressed considerably and reiterated their resoluteness to consolidate their cooperation during the global crisis, referring to the joint projects that both Turkish and Nigerian businessmen had begun to carry out.
GÜL VISITS TURKISH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
After the business forum, President Gül paid a visit to the Nigerian-Turkish International College, where he delivered a speech. Evincing his pleasure to be visiting the school, the President declared: “Education is the best investment that a country could make. I wholeheartedly believe that these schools will greatly contribute to the friendship between Turkey and Nigeria!”
Extending the Nigerian officials for their support for the Turkish schools, the President also congratulated the Turkish teachers and parents of the students. During the visit, the Nigerian students studying at the school sang Turkish songs and performed a play as well. The President later had a memoir photo with both the students and teachers taken.
Completing his program in Nigeria, President Gül returned to Turkey.
