ADDIS ABABA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey will strongly contribute to the economic development of Ethiopia in the upcoming months and years.
Erdogan indicated that a new political bridge will be established between Turkey and Ethiopia very soon. ''We are pleased to announce that the formerly closed embassy of Ethiopia will re-open shortly in Ankara,'' said Erdogan.
Erdogan told the A.A. that the new embassy of Ethiopia will be opened by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi during Zenawi's upcoming visit to Turkey.
''Yes, our visit to Africa opens a new page in our relations with the African continent. We will do whatever is possible to help the citizens of Ethiopia. We will soon take certain economic and political steps to make bilateral relations closer and warmer,'' expressed Erdogan.
According to Erdogan, the Turkish International Cooperation & Development Agency will, within an extremely short period of time, open an office in Ethiopia to contribute to Turkey's already excellent good ties with this republic.
''Our main target is to establish a new Turkish-Ethiopian Business Council. We wish to expand the economic opportunities between Turkey and Ethiopia. Further, we hope to take a very necessary political step to determine a new road map for the continent of Africa,'' commented Erdogan.
''Turks of Anatolia have always been and will continue to be good friends of the Ethiopians. Since history is a reflection of the future, we are proud and happy to say that our ties with Ethiopia will open new pages in the future for the whole continent of Africa. We are entering a new period in international relations,'' stressed Erdogan.
Erdogan added that both Turks and Ethiopians wish to cooperate in the areas of textiles, industrial products, defense matters and energy related sectors. ''Turkey will send engineers to Ethiopia to assist Ethiopians in building dams across the country. As water is becoming more and more important in international relations, we want to help our Ethiopian friends utilize their precious water resources effectively and in a planned way,'' said Erdogan.
''Of course, naturally, we will also send Turkish contractors to Ethiopia for the construction of new facilities (including nurseries, elementary and high schools, colleges, universities and think-tank establishments). We are also in the process of exploring the steps that could be taken by Turkey and Ethiopia in creating new projects with third countries,'' noted Erdogan.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi indicated that Ethiopia is ready to cooperate with the Turks in every field, in every corner of the world. ''We will cooperate with the Turks in every field, including business, politics, tourism, health, education, international law, culture and certainly in the fight against global terror.''
Asked about Ethiopia's stance on the issue of Cyprus, Zenawi stressed that the Turkish Cypriots should not be punished for voting ''yes'' to the Annan Plan last year. ''As friends of the Turkish Cypriots, we expect a broader perspective on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,'' reminded Zenawi.
Answering a question from the A.A correspondent in Addis Ababa on a possible defense cooperation against vicious terrorism in the world, Erdogan stated that his administration favors a contribution by the Ethiopians in tracking down terrorists. After all, both Turkey and Ethiopia share the same vision for the world's future, ''peace at home, peace in the world.''