Uganda plans foreign mission in Turkey
May 05, 2010
UGANDA plans to open an embassy in Ankara, Turkey to boost bilateral relations, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
By Cyprian Musoke
UGANDA plans to open an embassy in Ankara, Turkey to boost bilateral relations, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
Addressing a joint press conference in the capital where he arrived on Tuesday on a four-day state visit, Museveni told his host, President Abdullah Gul, that this would enhance cooperation between the two countries in a broad range of areas, according to Turkish media.
“Africa is awakening now and Turkey is becoming a more modern country in Europe. The number of co-operation areas with Turkey is vast. I am here to explore those areas,†Museveni was quoted as saying.
Uganda, he added, offers business opportunities to the Turkish investors in infrastructural projects, as well as in the trade of goods and services.
“That (investments) for Uganda would mean an opportunity to overcome the economic dire strait it faces.â€
Gul said: “I was pleased to hear from Museveni that Uganda wishes to open an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has developed ties with all African nations.â€
Turkey’s ambassador in Kampala, he noted, began serving on March 1. He said the relations between the two countries were a symbol of the importance Turkey attaches to Africa.
Museveni’s visit to Turkey is one of the first high formal visits between the two countries. It comes on the heels of the recent visit of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Uganda.
“This visit will carry our relations further. We have opened a new page for our future relations,†Gül said.
The two heads of state are slated to hold talks aimed at strengthening their relations and promote cooperation.
They will also discuss regional and international matters concerning the Security Council.
Uganda was elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2009-2010 like Turkey.
Turkey will take over the rotating presidency of the council in September and hand it over to Uganda in October.
Recalling the Turkey-Africa Summit, which took place in Istanbul in 2008, Gül said Turkey had become a strategic partner for Africa.
Prior to the joint press conference, Turkey and Uganda signed an agreement on air transportation, as well as an agreement to establish a political consultation mechanism.
Gul said the pact would enable Turkish Airlines, THY, make plans for direct flights from Istanbul to Entebbe, thereby drawing the countries closer.
During his stay in Turkey, Museveni will visit the Ataturk Mausoleum.
UGANDA plans to open an embassy in Ankara, Turkey to boost bilateral relations, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
Addressing a joint press conference in the capital where he arrived on Tuesday on a four-day state visit, Museveni told his host, President Abdullah Gul, that this would enhance cooperation between the two countries in a broad range of areas, according to Turkish media.
“Africa is awakening now and Turkey is becoming a more modern country in Europe. The number of co-operation areas with Turkey is vast. I am here to explore those areas,†Museveni was quoted as saying.
Uganda, he added, offers business opportunities to the Turkish investors in infrastructural projects, as well as in the trade of goods and services.
“That (investments) for Uganda would mean an opportunity to overcome the economic dire strait it faces.â€
Gul said: “I was pleased to hear from Museveni that Uganda wishes to open an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has developed ties with all African nations.â€
Turkey’s ambassador in Kampala, he noted, began serving on March 1. He said the relations between the two countries were a symbol of the importance Turkey attaches to Africa.
Museveni’s visit to Turkey is one of the first high formal visits between the two countries. It comes on the heels of the recent visit of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Uganda.
“This visit will carry our relations further. We have opened a new page for our future relations,†Gül said.
The two heads of state are slated to hold talks aimed at strengthening their relations and promote cooperation.
They will also discuss regional and international matters concerning the Security Council.
Uganda was elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2009-2010 like Turkey.
Turkey will take over the rotating presidency of the council in September and hand it over to Uganda in October.
Recalling the Turkey-Africa Summit, which took place in Istanbul in 2008, Gül said Turkey had become a strategic partner for Africa.
Prior to the joint press conference, Turkey and Uganda signed an agreement on air transportation, as well as an agreement to establish a political consultation mechanism.
Gul said the pact would enable Turkish Airlines, THY, make plans for direct flights from Istanbul to Entebbe, thereby drawing the countries closer.
During his stay in Turkey, Museveni will visit the Ataturk Mausoleum.