DAKAR, Senegal
Nilgun Erdem Ari, Turkey's ambassador to Senegal, told Anadolu Agency that relations between the two countries have gained momentum in recent years, with hundreds of millions of euros in Turkish investment in the West African state.
Emphasizing the importance of daily flights to Senegal by flag carrier Turkish Airlines, she added, "The amount of investment of Turkish companies in Senegal has reached about €500 million."
"Turkish companies are involved in important projects such as a conference center, hotel, sports complex, exhibition area, and above all a new airport," she said, saying that such projects give the Senegalese a positive view of Turkey and the Turkish people.
A regional partnership
Saying that the evolution of Turkey’s partnership with Africa is bringing investment opportunities in various areas, Ari said: "The first Africa Agriculture Ministers Meeting and Work Forum was held on April 27-28 in Antalya, Turkey and there was great interest.
"The Karma Economic Commission Meeting and the second Business Council will be held in Turkey as well, improving our Africa partnership policy."
Pointing out that the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) -- of which Senegal is a member -- includes a population of 300 million, Ari said, "Senegal shouldn't be seen as a single country, as both countries gain a lot more than expected through [regional] partnership."
The ambassador urged Turkish businessmen to explore opportunities in Senegal, pointing to the nation’s long-term plans.
"Senegal has a development plan for 2025-2030 and there are many projects such as renovating and building ports, and building wastewater treatment facilities and purification facilities; I urge Turkish businessman to be active in Senegal," she said.
FETO-linked schools on their way out
Apart from economic matters, Ari also talked about the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).
According to the Turkish government, FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.
Ankara also 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, and of infiltrating similar institutions in other countries.
"Turkish and Senegalese authorities are working in coordination against FETO," Ari said, saying that Senegal was on Turkey’s side by condemning last year’s treacherous coup attempt.
Stating that FETO has used Senegal as a regional headquarters, she explained, "FETO’s school presence was strong, but the process for [Turkey] taking over FETO schools in Senegal is in progress," via Turkish NGO the Maarif Foundation.
"Our fight with FETO started a long time before July 15, only the top-ranking officials were told about it; yet after the failed coup attempt the disguised terrorists took off their masks and the parents of the students in their schools took the necessary action and cut ties with them," Ari said.
Over 100 TIKA projects
"The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) have done a very good job" in Senegal, the ambassador said, explaining that TIKA plays a humanitarian role, while the institute focuses more on Turkish-language education.
Yaver Demir, TIKA’s program coordinator in Dakar, stated that TIKA opened its first West Africa office in Senegal in 2007 and had been doing important projects ever since.
"More than 100 health, sanitation, education, and infrastructure improvement projects have been conducted in Senegal, and our activities will continue," Demir said.
"In line with the 2017 Turkish language policy, we will teach Turkish not only to civilians but also soldiers thanks to the Turkish Language Center within the Senegal Chief of Staff," he added.
"Next, we will focus on health checkups, the opening of wells, repairing schools, and material support etc.," he said.
Senegalese students mad about Turkish
Erdal Bolatkale, who teaches Turkish at Cheikh Anto Diop University, stressed that there is an intense demand for Turkish.
"It’s only been around two months since the YEE and the university signed a protocol, but students have improved so much already," he said, adding that right now there are around 60 students.
"Those students love Turkey and follow the news closely, they even skip their weekend holidays and spend time here; our efforts to establish a Turkish cultural center continue," he said.
* Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara.
