The Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Turkey enjoy deep-rooted ties of friendship and fraternity and relations between the two countries have been rapidly improving in all fields. While bilateral visits add a major impetus to the relations between the two countries.
Bilateral relations between the two countries were initially advanced through the military domain as well as at the international fora such as the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which have become more comprehensive and multifaceted after the opening of embassies in Ankara and Banjul 2010 and 2011.
On the basis of the friendly and fraternal relations, many bilateral Agreements, Protocols and Memorandums of Understanding have been signed.
The Republic of Turkey has continued to render valuable support to the government of The Gambia’s development initiatives, which among others include the provision of scholarship packages, and annual offer of training courses to develop the human resource base of the civil service and the security agencies.
On Health, under the Cooperation Agreement in the field of Health and Medical Sciences, the Turkish Government provides free treatment for 25 Gambian patients every year whose medical conditions cannot be treated in The Gambia.
Exchange of Land Plots for Diplomatic Missions
As part of the diplomatic exchange of land between the two countries, The Government of the Republic of Turkey has allocated a Plot of Land to The Gambian Embassy in ANKARA at INCEK Diplomatic enclave. The Instrument of Ratification of the Protocol of the said lands have been finalized by both sides.
Medical Tourism
As Turkey is one of the world’s pioneers in health tourism, an ever-increasing number of Gambian patients come here to treat sicknesses. The expense of analytic assessment and treatment here is a lot lower than in the United States or Western Europe. By and large, medical procedures in Turkey can be up to 90 percent less expensive, and a restorative medical procedure in Turkey is likewise 70% less expensive than in the greater part of Europe.
Trade and Economic cooperation
Tourism
Gambian Immigrants in Turkey
The Gambian community in the Republic of Turkey has over the years increased steadily. Statistical data shows that about 900 Gambians are now living in Turkey. The Gambian community has a registered Association based in Istanbul.
The Gambian students in Turkey also have an association, with a functional website that can be reached at agastgambia.org.
Turkish Maarif School in The Gambia
The Schools of the Turkish Maarif Foundation in The Gambia started in the 2018-2019 school year. It is an educational institution that offers the Cambridge curricula system. We also offer Turkish, French and Arabic languages.
During his speech at the opening of the school, the Turkish Ambassador in Banjul, Ismail Sefa Yüceer stated:
“We are happy to see students start their education in schools that Turkey has opened through the Turkish Maarif Foundation in The Gambia. Our brotherhood and friendship relations with The Gambia, which is the smallest but also the most heartfelt and hospitable country of Africa, relies on our past.”
