Turkey, Gambia should increase trade volume to $40M: FM

ANKARA

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday they should increase bilateral trade volume with the Gambia to $40 million.

"Turkey and Gambia aim to build bridges in every field," he said, addressing a joint news conference with his Gambian counterpart Mamadou Tangara in capital Ankara.

Stating that Turkey has 42 embassies in Africa, he added: "We want to open embassies in all African countries."

He noted that Turkish Airlines flies to 55 destination in Africa.

"Upon the orders of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Airlines flies to Banjul twice a week and this number will increase to three on May 1."

He also promised to support development projects in the Gambia and give scholarships to students.

Praising the Gambian efforts to support Turkey in difficult times, he said: "Gambia is the first country to ban FETO [Fetullah Terrorist Organization]."

Also speaking, Tangara praised Turkey's strong relationship with African nations.

He invited Turkish businesspeople and private sector to invest in Gambia.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.