Zimbabwe opens embassy in Turkey

The Zimbabwean Embassy in Ankara, Turkey has been officially opened at a ceremony attended by distinguished guests including, the Turkish and Guinea Bissau Foreign Ministers and several African Ambassadors accredited to Turkey.

In his remarks, Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Fredrick Shava expressed deep appreciation on the role the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has played in re-focusing the European country’s foreign policy towards Africa.

Shava also took the opportunity to apprise diplomats on the engagement and re-engagement thrust being taken by the second republic under the mantra: ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business.’

Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in his speech, said the opening of the embassy is part of his country’s policy of developing relations with Africa. 

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Africa holds a special place for Turkey, and "with the opening of Zimbabwe Embassy in Ankara, it is evident that our relations are growing stronger each day."

This Embassy will further develop links between our business people as well as flourishing education and tourism between our nations, he said.

The foreign minister noted that 13 years ago, there were just ten African embassies, which has since expanded to 37.

So the increase has been 27 within 13 years, indeed this is a reflection of deepening of relations with Africa, Çavuşoğlu said.

He also announced that the Turkish Embassy in Guinea-Bissau will open soon, bringing the total number of Turkish embassies in Africa to 44.

We will further enhance our relations with Africa at all platforms, Çavuşoğlu pledged.

Although the current level of Turkey-Zimbabwe Bilateral trade is very low, Zimbabwe is keen to widen and deepen economic cooperation to levels that match the existing potential.