Turkish president hails Bolivia's support for Palestine
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
Turkey's president on April 9 hailed Bolivia's support for Jerusalem and praised South American country's approach to the Golan Heights issue as well.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks came at a joint news conference with his Bolivian counterpart Juan Evo Morales Ayma at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey's capital.
"I want to thank Bolivia for its support for Palestine's cause, especially for Jerusalem's status and protection of the Palestinian civilians," Erdoğan said also praising the country's approach to the Golan Heights issue.
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the Golan Heights as an Israeli territory.
The move came after Trump recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in late 2017 and moved his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem last year, triggering world outcry.
Bolivia's President Juan Evo Morales, for his part, expressed willingness for improving ties with Turkey. "I believe we can achieve this because we share the same ideas."
Meanwhile, Morales criticized the U.S. “for appointing a president to Venezuela,” rejecting the U.S. move.
“Appointing presidents today was like the appointment of governors during the colonization era,” he said.
In January, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.
Saluting Turkey's stance towards Venezuela crisis, Bolivia's president said: "I very well know the Venezuelan state, its government and people ... It is a country that defends its independence and sovereignty despite the fiscal troubles. That's why we support them."
He called on the people of the Latin American countries to reject any military intervention regardless of its ideology.
Morales also said Bolivia eyes cooperation with Turkey in defense industry.
"We need cooperation in defense field, especially to combat smuggling. We want the transfer and purchase of technology cooperating with the army, and we need it," he said.
He concluded his speech marking the popularity of Turkish TV series and Turkish Airlines in Bolivia.
The joint statement of the two leaders highlighted that Tuesday's meeting bears a historic importance as Morales' trip marks the first visit from Bolivia to Turkey at the presidential level.
The leaders also expressed pleasure for operation of Turkish mission, which started its activities in February 2018, in Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz.
Erdoğan and Morales stressed the importance of rejecting any kind of discrimination and extremism by defending fundamental rights and freedoms.
‘Multiplicity, peace and international justice’
Bolivia’s ruling party is the result of various native social movements coming together, said the nation’s president said during a separate press briefing in Ankara.
“It’s time to defend multiplicity, peace and international justice. We came to a time where the imperialist shares ended,” Evo Morales told a news conference in the Turkish capital Ankara, where he is paying an official visit.
Morales stressed that since the establishment of the Republic of Bolivia, nearly 200 years ago, the social movements “became the savior like Simon Bolivar,” the legendary 19th century revolutionary leader.
He said that through social programs, they reduced extreme deprivation in the country, raised GDP from $900 in 2005 to more than $4,000, and propelled 3 million Bolivians into the middle class.
While approaching its 2025 bicentennial, Bolivia has a 100-year economic plan, said Morales, covering areas such as agriculture, mining, energy, and fuel.
Morales said that Bolivia is opening up to trading with big markets like Turkey, China and Russia with agricultural exports and bilateral agreements.
After his speech, Morales received a certificate of friendship from Ankara University, delivered by its rector, Erkan İbiş.