Turkish president to visit Zambia on July 28

By Munira Abdelmenan Awel

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be visiting the Republic of Zambia on Saturday on the invitation of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

According to a statement from Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Erdogan will arrive in Zambia on July 28.

The upcoming visit is expected to further strengthen the existing relations and cooperation between Zambia and Turkey in numerous sectors.

“Turkey has one of the largest and fastest growing economies which has made major strides in its socio-economic development agenda.

"Turkey is also a leading member of the EU Customs Union and the G-20. In addition, Turkey has continued to contribute significantly to various United Nations programs as well as several international and regional organizations," the statement read.

The visit will mark the first Turkish presidential visit to Zambia.

Erdogan and his Zambian counterpart Lungu will discuss mutual and multilateral matters such as Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Reform of the UN Security Council.

The ministry has also stated the two leaders will discuss peace and security in the region particularly and the Continent in general.

"Turkey has an active role in promoting regional stability through its membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Zambia’s membership to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and also the country’s impending assumption of the Chair to the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defense and Security in August 2018," it said.