Zambia Looks To Enhance Defense Ties With Turkey

Zambia's defense minister praised his country's bilateral relations with Turkey and voiced hope that defense ties between the two countries would further strengthen in the future.

"The relations between Turkey and Zambia are so far so good," Davies Chama told Anadolu Agency in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 14th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF'19) being held in the city.

"Heads of states have developed a personal relationship, which has enhanced ties between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Zambia," he said.

"Interaction [between the two leaders] has been very excellent," Chama said, referring to the recent state visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Zambia and Zambian leader Edgar Lungu's visit to Turkey.

At the invitation of Erdogan, Zambian President Lungu attended the inauguration ceremony of Erdogan in capital Ankara after he was re-elected as the president last June.

In July, Erdogan paid a visit to Zambia and met his counterpart in the first-ever official visit by a Turkish president to the East African country.

During the visit, the two countries signed pacts to boost ties in sectors such as agriculture, stockbreeding, fishery, tourism, investment, sports, and diplomacy.

Defense deals

Chama said: "… Framework agreements on defense issues between Turkey and Zambia have been finalized now. I hope that during my visit, we should be able to sign those agreements."

Speaking of his Monday's meeting with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar, he said: "I think we've created a personal relationship, his Excellency Minister Akar and myself. I hope that we can strengthen defense cooperation between Zambia and Turkey."

The Zambian defense minister hailed the "high-quality" products at the fair.

"So far, I can see the high-quality products. You know Turkey is a part of NATO. There is no doubt in my mind that the products what I could be able to see at this fair are of high quality," he said.

He stated that his country is looking at ways to "cooperate mutually and develop our defense industry together with the Republic of Turkey."

In regards to Turkish Airlines' flights that was launched from Istanbul to Lusaka, Chama said: "That is a very good development. I hope that these flights can be made on daily basis."

Turkish Airlines launched flights from Istanbul to Lusaka, the capital and biggest city of Zambia, last December, making it the airline's 55th destination in Africa.