Zambia celebrates Independence Day in Ankara

By Munira Abdelmenan Awel

ANKARA (AA) - Marking Zambia's 54th Independence Day on Wednesday, Zambia’s ambassador in Turkey hailed the state of Zambian-Turkish relations.

“Turkey and Zambia enjoy warm relations premised on mutual respect and common interests," Joseph Chilengi said at a gathering in Turkey’s capital Ankara under the theme “Celebrating a shared future of unity, development, and prosperity.”

The envoy also called on more Turkish companies to work with his country, touting the business environment in the Southern African nation.

Ziya Selcuk, Turkey’s education minister, also spoke of stronger relations between the two countries.

Selcuk praised the attendance of Zambian President Edgar Lungu at President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's inauguration this July and other diplomatic contacts between the two nations.

"We’re planning to establish a branch of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency [TIKA, Turkey’s state aid agency] in Zambia,” he said.

“Turkish Airlines will also start its first flights to Zambia soon, which will contribute greatly to our relations. Turkey maintains a strong presence in Africa."

Selcuk also warned of the international threat of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind a defeated but deadly coup in Turkey in 2016.

Chilengi praised Turkey’s efforts to forge international peace and security and its role in the region.

"We wish to pledge Zambia’s support in these efforts against threats to international peace and security and in the fight against terrorism," he added.

Chilengi underlined that the UN and Zambia share a birthday, saying: "Zambia and Turkey are both advocates of reforming the UN and some of its specialized agencies and in this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to working with Turkey in international fora on issues of common interest."

When Erdogan visited Zambia in late July, after his inauguration, the two countries signed pacts to boost ties in sectors such as agriculture, stockbreeding, fishery, tourism, investment, sports, and diplomacy.