Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex following their bilateral meeting, delegation discussions, and the signing of several agreements.

President Erdoğan congratulated President Faye on his recent election victory and highlighted the cooperation opportunities between Türkiye and Senegal in various sectors, including investment, trade, security, defense, anti-terrorism, energy, agriculture, urbanization, culture, and higher education. He announced the signing of four agreements and noted that the trade volume between the two countries has nearly reached $500 million, with an initial goal of $1 billion.

Erdoğan drew attention to the upcoming Türkiye-Senegal Business Forum in Istanbul on November 1, emphasizing its potential to enhance economic relations. He also discussed the Senegal 2050 National Transformation Programme and expressed Türkiye's readiness to share its experiences with Senegal.

The leaders reviewed joint steps in security, defense, and the fight against terrorism, particularly against FETO. President Erdoğan thanked Senegalese officials for their support in combating FETO and expressed confidence in continued solidarity.

Erdoğan and Faye discussed developments in the Sahel region and Palestine. They reaffirmed their stance that security in Africa is contingent on stability in the Sahel. They also addressed the steps Türkiye and Senegal could take in response to Israel's actions in Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza.

Erdoğan praised Senegal's long-standing chairmanship of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) and valued Senegal's stance on the two-state solution. He reiterated Türkiye's commitment to supporting the Palestinian and Lebanese people and called on all conscientious countries to pressure the Israeli government.

In response to reporters' questions, Erdoğan highlighted potential joint steps in higher education, defense, infrastructure, and digitalization. He also expressed concern about the escalating situation in the region and hoped for control over the developments, particularly by the United Nations. (ILKHA)