Ambassador Sikazwe Presents Credentials to Turkish President Erdoğan, calls for strengthened bilateral Relations
His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dr. William Maipambe Sikazwe (Rtd.) presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic of Türkiye, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Dr. Sikazwe thanked the President of Türkiye and the Government for the existing warm bilateral relations between Zambia and Türkiye.He expressed the need to strengthen these relations by enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as health, manufacturing, agriculture, aviation, tourism, and education, among others.The Ambassador informed President Erdoğan that the President of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema had identified Türkiye as a key development partner, adding that Zambia had much to learn from Türkiye’s economic progress.Lt. Gen. Dr. Sikazwe also conveyed Zambia’s condolences for the deaths and injuries caused by a terrorist attack on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul on 13th November, 2022.He condemned the atrocious act of terrorism and expressed Zambia’s solidarity with the Government and the people of Türkiye.Meanwhile, President Erdoğan assured Zambia of his country’s support in increasing the trade volume between the two nations.President Erdoğan emphasized the need to raise trade volumes from the current US$34.4 billion to US$100 billion by the end of 2023, achievable through the implementation of the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation.Following a request by the Zambian envoy, for the Turkish authorities to consider resuming direct flights to Lusaka by Turkish Airlines, the Turkish President announced that flights into Lusaka would resume by March 2023.President Erdoğan fondly recalled his visit to Zambia in July, 2018 and the warm hospitality he received.Ankara - Friday, 2nd December, 2022
