Antalya, Turkey – The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Saturday, March 12, 2022 on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Dr. Weah is in Antalya, Turkey attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum of Global Leaders.
At their meeting held at the luxurious Montgomerie Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, both Presidents Weah and Erdogan discussed wide-ranging issues of multilateral and bilateral interests to both Liberia and Turkey covering areas of global peace and security, the consolidation of diplomatic ties, economic and security cooperation as well as education and business links between both countries.
Welcoming President Weah to Turkey, President Erdogan expressed delight at the visit of his counterpart to Turkey after their two informal meetings earlier this year in Lome, Togo, and Dakar Senegal. He stressed the need for the improvement in diplomatic relations between Liberia and Turkey through the establishment of embassies in both Capitals.
“Liberia is very strategic and important and Turkey is keen to deepen our relations with your country in many areas that will be of mutual benefits”, President Erdogan asserted.
“We want to increase our investments and interests in Liberia through the establishment of a joint commission that will explore areas of mutual security, business, trade, and education”, the Turkish leader added.
President Erdogan also mentioned the ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia saying this has rekindled global concerns for a new world order, especially at the level of the United Nations Security Council. He urged President Weah to join the campaign for the change in the present structure of the UN Security Council saying the present model does not equitably represent the current new world order.
For his part, the Liberian Leader thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the warm hospitality accorded him and his delegation while extolling the bond of friendship that has developed between him and his Turkish Counterpart since their first meeting earlier this year.
President Weah welcomed the need for the establishment of formal diplomatic missions between Monrovia and Ankara which he said will lead to greater areas of cooperation between both countries.
He said the current trend of Turkish Business investments in Liberia was encouraging and called for an enhancement in economic ties between both countries.
The Liberian Leader requested Turkey’s Assistance in the areas of Security, Infrastructure- to include roads, housing, electricity, and education with an emphasis on technical and vocational education and training for the many unskilled youths of Liberia.
On International Security with a focus on the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia, President Weah reiterated Liberia’s position calling for a diplomatic settlement.
“We have gone through a period of war as a country and know the importance of peace. We remain on the side of peaceful dialogue through collective diplomatic efforts”, the Liberian Leader averred.
Meanwhile, President George Weah joined over 135 Leaders from across the world to participate in the 2nd Edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey under the theme “Recoding Diplomacy” being held at the NEST Congress and Exhibition Center in the Mediterranean resort of Antalya.
The ADF is a high-level gathering of professionals who deal with diplomacies such as political leaders, diplomats, opinion-makers, or academics. It presents an excellent platform for regional and global actors from the spheres of diplomacy, policy, and business to exchange ideas and address international challenges.