Sierra Leone Ambassador Designate Francess Virginia Anderson Meets Turkish Director of Africa, Strengthens Bilateral Ties

Ankara, Turkey, Friday 25 October 2024 – Sierra Leone Ambassador to Turkey, Her Excellency Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, has met with the Turkish Director of Africa, Ambassador Şebnem Cenk, at the Ministry of Foreign Affair, and have strengthened the bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed critical areas to boost Teriyaki-Sierra Leone relations, with a particular focus on trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation. In her opening remarks, the Director of Africa extended a warm welcome to the Ambassador Designate. She highlighted Türkiye's trade volume with Sierra Leone, noting that it amounted to approximately $82 million in 2023, a figure she described as unsatisfactory.

The Director emphasized that strengthening trade relations should be a priority, aiming to encourage a greater flow of investments. She also recognized the contributions of notable Turkish companies currently operating in Sierra Leone, including Summa Group and Karpowership, which have played significant roles in the nation's infrastructure and energy sectors. The Director further informed the Ambassador of two key upcoming events intended to deepen bilateral relations: the Joint Economic Commission and the Political Consultation. Both initiatives are set to involve high-level engagement from Türkiye and Sierra Leone and will address areas ranging from economic development to political stability. Additionally, the Director announced her plans to visit Sierra Leone early next year to continue these collaborative discussions in person.

In response, the Ambassador Designate, Dr. Francess V. Anderson(PhD) began by expressing heartfelt condolences to the Turkish people and government following the recent terrorist attack in Ankara on October 23, 2024. She went on to underscore the importance of increased trade and investment between the two nations, revealing plans to organize an investment conference in Turkey to attract more Turkish investors and entrepreneurs to Sierra Leone. In closing, the Ambassador voiced concerns regarding the reported detention of Sierra Leonean nationals in Türkiye. She urged Turkish authorities to adhere to the 1951 International Refugee Convention, highlighting the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of Sierra Leoneans in Türkiye. The meeting concluded with the Director of Africa expressing gratitude to the Ambassador for the fruitful dialogue. She also provided an update on the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum, scheduled for April 2025, which will serve as another valuable opportunity for diplomatic and economic engagement.

This meeting marks a significant step towards advancing the shared goals of Türkiye and Sierra Leone and sets the stage for increased cooperation in the months to come.

 

For Further Inquiries:

Sierra Leone Embassy Ankara, Türkiye

sierraleoneembassyturkey@gmail.com

Twitter: @TurkeySLE

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