Turkey, Kenya mark golden jubilee of friendship

By Sadik Kedir

ANKARA (AA) - Ankara and Nairobi on Wednesday marked golden jubilee of friendship alongside Kenya's 55th Jamhuri (Republic) Day on Wednesday.

Speaking at an event in the capital Ankara, Turkish deputy minister of environment and urbanization expressed her country’s desire to boost the relations with Kenya.

"We wish to achieve a goal of increasing our mutual investments for the benefit of the two nations," Fatma Varank told the audience.

She noted Turkish Embassy in Nairobi is one of the oldest in Africa which was established in 1968.

Nathaniel Taama, Kenya's chargé d'affaires, also hailed the relations between the two countries and agreed to further enhance friendship and cooperation.

"...particularly for Turkish investors, Kenya's becoming a key part of their global portfolio," he said, noting that there are over 30 Turkish companies operating in Kenya.

Turkey is active in Africa with 42 embassies, 22 program coordination offices of TIKA, a Turkish state-run aid agency, and other foundations, according to the Turkish deputy minister of environment and urbanization.