Türkiye, Senegal sign 5 bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation

Türkiye and Senegal advanced their bilateral relations on Thursday as leaders from both countries signed five agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.

The agreements, signed in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, encompass strategic collaboration in urban development, energy, agriculture and higher education.

‘Put more pressure on Israeli government’

Senegal’s stance on the Palestine issue based on a two-state solution is extremely valuable, says President Erdogan in a joint presser with Senegalese counterpart in Ankara.

“Ankara hails the steadfast stance of our African brothers, who understand what oppression, war and massacre mean, against Israel’s genocidal policies,” said the president.

Erdogan urged all countries with a “sense of conscience” to put more pressure on the Israeli government.

“Imperialists learned in Africa a peaceful future cannot be built on blood, massacre,” said President Erdogan, adding “same truth will be evident in Gaza, Lebanon.”

High-level strategic cooperation council established

At the core of these agreements is the establishment of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Türkiye and Senegal, solidifying a framework for ongoing diplomatic and economic collaboration.

This protocol was signed directly by President Erdogan and President Faye, marking a significant milestone in Türkiye-Senegal relations.

Senegalese President Faye said: “West Africa is a region dominated by security challenges. We told President Erdogan that there is a need to strengthen cooperation in the field of defense.”

Urban development, energy sectors to receive priority

In an agreement geared toward urban planning, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Senegal’s Minister of Urban Planning, Local Governance and Regional Planning, Balla Moussa Fofana, signed a memorandum of understanding to support mutual goals in urban development.

Additionally, a separate memorandum concerning energy and hydrocarbons was signed by Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yassine Fall.

The agreement highlighted the growing interest in energy sector collaboration between the two nations.

Agricultural mechanization and higher education agreements signed

Türkiye’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, and Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, Mabouba Diagne, also signed an agreement focused on agricultural mechanization.

This pact aims to increase agricultural productivity and support the mechanization of farming in Senegal.

In the field of higher education, a cooperation agreement was signed by Türkiye’s Higher Education Council President Erol Ozvar and Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yassine Fall.

This agreement will enhance collaboration between academic institutions in both countries and support innovation and scientific research.