Europe Affairs Directorate

𝐀𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐓ü𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐲𝐞 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: A high-level Gambian delegation, led by Permanent Secretary II, Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President, successfully concluded an official visit to the Republic of Türkiye. The delegation was accompanied throughout the visit by H.E. Alkali Conteh, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Türkiye, and officials of the Embassy of The Gambia in Ankara. The official visit was undertaken to further strengthen the longstanding relations between The Gambia and the Republic of Türkiye and expand cooperation in diplomacy, education, migration, consular and visa matters, capacity-building and institutional development. The programme featured high-level diplomatic engagements, institutional exchanges and discussions aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and identifying new opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary held a meeting with H.E. H. Ali Özel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. The discussions reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding relations between The Gambia and Türkiye and underscored the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two sides exchanged views on a broad range of issues relating to political, diplomatic and institutional cooperation, while also discussing opportunities for expanding collaboration in education, trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, higher education and capacity-building. Discussions also explored practical measures to strengthen cooperation on visa-related matters and consular services in order to further enhance the welfare of Gambian citizens in Türkiye and facilitate closer engagement between the two countries. PS Jobe also briefed the Deputy Minister on The Gambia’s initiative to establish a Foreign Service Academy and expressed the Government’s interest in benefiting from Türkiye’s experience in diplomatic training and professional development. She further proposed closer institutional cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs through technical exchanges, specialised training programmes and other initiatives aimed at strengthening diplomatic capacity. The meeting reaffirmed the shared determination of both countries to continue deepening their strategic partnership and enhancing collaboration on issues of mutual interest. 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 As part of the programme, Permanent Secretary Jobe and delegation held a meeting with H.E. Ambassador Dr. İsmail Hakkı Musa, Director General of the Diplomacy Academy of the Republic of Türkiye. The discussions focused on Türkiye’s experience in diplomatic education and continuous professional development and explored opportunities for institutional cooperation between the Turkish Diplomacy Academy and the proposed Foreign Service Academy of The Gambia. Permanent Secretary Jobe expressed interest in developing structured cooperation aimed at strengthening professionalism, continuous learning and capacity within the Gambian Foreign Service. H.E. Ambassador Dr. İsmail Hakkı Musa welcomed The Gambia’s initiative to establish a Foreign Service Academy and expressed the Diplomacy Academy’s readiness to support the initiative. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to working closely with The Gambia in developing a strong and professional diplomatic training institution. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬 A key component of the official visit was Ms. Jobe’s keynote address to diplomat trainees at the Diplomacy Academy of the Republic of Türkiye under the theme “Diplomacy in a Changing World: Reflections from The Gambia.” Addressing the future diplomats of the Republic of Türkiye, Ms. Jobe reflected on the evolving demands of 21st-century diplomacy and the importance of developing competencies in areas including negotiation, economic diplomacy, strategic communication, international law, public diplomacy and geopolitical analysis. Drawing on her professional experience in public service and diplomacy including her assignments at The Gambia’s foreign missions abroad, she shared practical lessons on leadership, integrity, professionalism and results-oriented diplomacy. Ms. Jobe also introduced the trainees to The Gambia’s history, foreign-policy, development priorities and the longstanding and growing partnership between The Gambia and Türkiye, while encouraging greater engagement between Türkiye and Africa and highlighting the important role that future diplomats will play in strengthening bilateral relations. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 The official programme also included engagements with the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). At SETA, the delegation exchanged views on policy research, strategic analysis and geopolitical affairs, with particular attention to the role of research and strategic foresight in supporting foreign-policy formulation and informed decision-making. Discussions also explored potential areas of institutional cooperation, including policy dialogue, research exchanges, expert consultations, seminars and capacity-building for diplomats, government officials and researchers. At YTB, the delegation was received by Vice President Mr. Murat Kazancı and briefed on the institution’s mandate and programmes, including the Türkiye Scholarships Programme and its engagement with international students and communities. The discussions explored opportunities to further strengthen educational and professional exchanges between The Gambia and Türkiye, including increased access to educational and capacity-building opportunities for Gambians, alumni engagement and cooperation in human-capital development. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚 As part of the official programme, Permanent Secretary Jobe and delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in Ankara, where they were received by H.E. Ambassador Alkali Conteh and the Embassy staff. During the visit, the Permanent Secretary commended the Ambassador and the Mission staff for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to advancing The Gambia’s interests and strengthening the excellent bilateral relations between The Gambia and the Republic of Türkiye. She encouraged them to continue serving with distinction and reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the important work of the Mission. PS Jobe also signed the Embassy’s Visitors’ Book, expressing her appreciation for the warm reception accorded to the delegation and conveying her best wishes for the continued success of the Mission. The official visit reaffirmed the strong and longstanding partnership between The Gambia and Türkiye while identifying new opportunities to deepen cooperation in diplomacy, education, consular and visa matters, capacity-building and institutional development. The outcomes of the visit are expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and support The Gambia’s efforts to modernise its foreign service.