'All FETO schools in Ethiopia handed over to Turkey’s Maarif Foundation'

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - All schools in Ethiopia run by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, have been handed over to Turkey’s Maarif Foundation, the Turkish president said on Wednesday.

"I am pleased to share the information that all FETO schools in Ethiopia were handed over to our Maarif Foundation last week," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the capital Ankara.

Erdogan thanked Abiy for Ethiopia's support in Turkey's fight against the FETO terrorist group.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Turkey, in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 injured.

After the defeated coup, Turkey established the Maarif Foundation to assume the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO, which the terrorist group has used as a revenue stream. Maarif also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

Underlining that Turkey attaches great importance to resolving the Fashaga conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan, Erdogan said Ankara is ready to make any contribution, including mediation, to find an amicable solution to the conflict.

"The peace and integrity of Ethiopia is important to us," he said.

For his part, the Ethiopian prime minister highlighted the historical relations and cultural ties between the two countries.

"Our relationships are based on mutual respect and trust," he said, adding that Ethiopia considers its friendship and partnership with Turkey "extremely" important.

Noting the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA)'s successful works in his country, Abiy said that due to its strategic location, Turkey is an influential country that has shaped global relations.

"Turkey is a country that has developed a dynamic and robust economy," he added.