Turkey ready to help Nigeria fight terrorism: Erdoğan

ABUJA, Nigeria – Anadolu Agency

Ghanaian President John Mahama (R) gives a joint media briefing with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Flagstaff house in Accra, on March 1, 2016. AFP Photo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Turkey is ready to help Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.

Addressing a joint press conference alongside his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in the Nigerian capital Abuja on March 2, Erdoğan said Turkey will help Nigeria bring peace in the region.        

“As a country combating terrorism itself for a long time, any terror in Nigeria deeply hurts our hearts,” the Turkish president said. 

Erdoğan also extended his condolences to the victims of terrorism in Nigeria.      
  
“There is evidence that terrorism is the same all over the world,” Erdoğan said, adding: “Terrorism has no religion or nationality.”

“We are ready to combat terrorism with Nigeria. We will like you to enjoy our experience in the field of defense,” he added. 

The Turkish president also expressed his interest in boosting bilateral economic ties. He noted the growth of Nigerian economy in recent years and expressed Turkey’s willingness to make further investments in Nigeria. 

“We have been following Nigeria’s economic growth closely. I am accompanied by a large number of businessmen…We hope to be able to obtain a positive outcome from this [Turkey-Nigeria business] forum [in Abuja],” he said. 

“The population of Turkey and Nigeria is about 260 million people… that is a very important market if we combine our forces,” he added.        

He also said that Turkey remains ready to share its experience and knowledge in the fields of irrigation and agriculture with Nigeria.        

“It will be a pleasure for me to host Buhari as soon as possible,” Erdoğan said.        

The Turkish president also said the Grand National Assembly of Turkey will cooperate with the Nigerian parliament.