Gambian President Adama Barrow on Tuesday received the letters of credence of the new ambassadors of Russia and Türkiye to The Gambia at the State House in Banjul, with discussions focusing on bilateral relations, agricultural development, education and trade.
Russian Ambassador Mikhail Korneev, presenting his credentials, thanked the Gambian government for the hospitality and support extended to him since his arrival in the country.
He said the opening of a fully-fledged Russian embassy in The Gambia reflected the maturity of relations between the two countries.
Mr. Korneev also expressed his willingness to engage the Gambian authorities on increasing the number of educational scholarships offered to Gambian students beyond the current allocation of 15 places.
President Barrow congratulated the Russian envoy and expressed appreciation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
He welcomed Russian development cooperation, particularly in agriculture, which he described as a key sector in the country’s efforts to transform its economy and reduce poverty.
“To eradicate poverty, we need to modernise agriculture and consider it as business. We need to build human capacity and get equipment that will positively transform farming across The Gambia,” Mr. Barrow said.
The Gambian leader stressed the importance of modern farming methods, technical training and equipment in improving agricultural productivity and supporting national development.
Türkiye’s new ambassador, Ozgur Gokmen, also presented his credentials, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome he had received in The Gambia, which is often referred to as the Smiling Coast of Africa.
He described his appointment as both a challenge and an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Gokmen said bilateral relations were excellent, citing cooperation in education, trade, security and cultural exchanges. He also highlighted training opportunities provided to Gambian security personnel through Turkish cooperation.
President Barrow congratulated the Turkish envoy, saying successive Turkish ambassadors had contributed to diversifying and strengthening mutually beneficial relations between the two countries.
He noted that cooperation had expanded to include trade, maritime activities and logistics, with Turkish investors participating in The Gambia’s maritime and logistics sectors.
Mr. Barrow also highlighted improved opportunities for Gambians travelling to Türkiye for business and recalled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s state visit to The Gambia, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
“President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made his first-ever historic state visit to The Gambia. This is part of my foreign policy legacy,” Mr. Barrow said, while wishing the Turkish leader good health and long life.
The two ambassadors were accompanied to the State House by Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad Minister Serign Modou Njie and senior officials of his ministry.
The presentation of credentials formally marks the ambassadors’ assumption of their diplomatic duties in The Gambia and provides an opportunity to reaffirm their countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.