The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the Government of National Unity, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Tripoli.
Mohammed Zidan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that this significant step aims to enhance bilateral cooperation between Libya and Turkey. Following the MoU, TIKA will begin implementing projects in Libya.
According to Anadolu Agency, Serkan Kayalar, President of TIKA, noted that the agency has been actively establishing projects in Libya since the beginning of the 21st century.
He emphasized the importance of the MoU, particularly in granting TIKA legal status in Libya. Kayalar stated that this development cooperation agreement provides a legal foundation for the agency’s activities in Libya.
Additionally, the two countries signed a protocol for the restoration of the Ottoman naval commander Turgut Reis’s mausoleum in Tripoli.
Turgut Reis, a renowned Ottoman admiral, gained fame for his consecutive victories in the Mediterranean and Black Seas and is considered one of the prominent figures in Ottoman naval history.
The signing of the MoU marks a strengthening of relations between Libya and Turkey, reflecting a broader trend of increased bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
TIKA has been instrumental in providing developmental aid and support in Libya, focusing on projects that address critical needs and foster growth.
Turgut Reis, also known as Turgut Barbarossa, played a significant role in the expansion of Ottoman naval power during the 16th century. His legacy is celebrated in both Turkey and Libya, underscoring the historical ties between the two nations.
The restoration of his mausoleum represents a symbolic gesture of honoring historical connections and reinforcing cultural and historical ties.
