Kinshasa, september 8th, 2021 (CPA) – The Congolese President, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed on Tuesday a common desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in economic and trade exchanges between their two respective countries, with the objective of reaching a volume of USD 250 million in the medium term.
The two Presidents demonstrated this in a one-to-one meeting, followed by a working session with their respective delegations. Everything, sanctioned by a joint press conference followed by an official dinner at the Presidential Palace in the Turkish capital where the Head of State has been staying since Monday, at the head of a large Congolese delegation.
This meeting relating to bilateral exchanges between the two presidents, extended to ministers and businessmen, resulted, it is said, in the signing of three beneficial agreements for Turkey and the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in matters protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation, fight against tax fraud and in matters of tourism.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared, on this occasion, that they mutually confirmed their willingness to improve cooperation between the two countries, before adding that they will make an intensive effort to raise their economic and trade relations to a dignified level of their friendship, the agreements concluded contributing considerably to the achievement of this objective.
The Turkish President also said at the joint press conference that sincerity, brotherhood and solidarity constitute the essence of relations uniting Turkey and Africa.
“Improving our relations and cooperation with Africa is one of the fundamental principles of our humanitarian and entrepreneurial foreign policy. Sincerity, fraternity and solidarity constitute the essence of our relations with Africa”, said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the presence of his Congolese counterpart, who is also President-in-Office of the African Union (AU).
He continued that Turkey attaches great importance to their relations and shares the African vision for a better continent, while hoping that the most lasting and realistic solutions to the continent’s problems will be found by Africans themselves.
President Erdoğan further indicated that he discussed with President Felix Tshisekedi the preparations for the 3rd summit of the « Turkey-Africa Partnership » which he intends to hold with the African Union, « a strategic partner ».
Meeting with Turkish entrepreneurs
In addition, the President of the Republic granted, on Wednesday in Istanbul, a series of hearings to several Turkish businessmen, potential investors and future economic partners of DRC.
These meetings are part of its concern to build win-win partnerships, create jobs and plan technology transfer.
Entrepreneurs from Turkish business circles, ready to invest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, represent, it should be noted, different sectors of activity including aviation, agri-food, construction, mining and green energies.
The President of the Republic, Felix Tshisekedi, visited Tuesday morning, on the sidelines of this official visit to Turkey, the Anitkabir site, a mausoleum erected in honor of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Founder and 1st President of the Republic of Turkey.
He arrived, accompanied by First Lady Nyakeru Tshisekedi, on Monday evening, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, where he was greeted on his descent from the plane by the Turkish Minister of Transport, Karaoswanjelus, the governor of Ankara, Vastp Sahin, and Brigadier General Hakan Buyekcula, it is recalled. ACP /JFM