ANKARA
Côte d’Ivoire’s ambassador to Türkiye, H.E. Khadidjata Touré, highlighted the deepening political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries during celebrations marking the 66th anniversary of Côte d’Ivoire’s independence.
Addressing Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklıkaya, government officials, diplomats and members of the Ivorian community in Ankara on Friday, Touré said the partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and Türkiye has expanded across trade, education, defense, infrastructure and social development.
Côte d’Ivoire, a West African nation of more than 33 million people, gained independence from France on Aug. 7, 1960.
“The celebration of our national day here in Ankara is also an opportunity to magnify the exceptional quality of the bilateral relations that unite the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the Republic of Türkiye,” Touré said.
The ambassador noted that diplomatic relations between the two countries have evolved into “a strategic partnership founded on mutual trust, reciprocal respect and a shared commitment to co-development.”
She said economic ties have grown considerably in recent years, with bilateral trade surpassing $1 billion and Côte d’Ivoire emerging as one of Türkiye’s principal trading partners in francophone sub-Saharan Africa.
“Turkish companies, recognized for their technical expertise and reliability, actively participate in the modernization of our infrastructure, the development of our construction and public works sector and the growth of our manufacturing industry,” she added.
The ambassador also emphasized cooperation in education, noting that many Ivorian students study at Turkish universities through scholarship programs.
“These young Ivorians acquire cutting-edge skills here that they will one day place at the service of the development of Côte d’Ivoire, while becoming indestructible cultural bridges between our two peoples,” Touré said.
She further highlighted growing cooperation in defense and security, describing Türkiye as “a partner of choice” in supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s territorial integrity and strengthening the capabilities of its military personnel.
On the domestic front, she praised Côte d’Ivoire’s economic performance under President Alassane Ouattara, saying the country has become “a haven of political stability, a model of economic growth and a major pole of attraction in West Africa.”
According to the World Bank, Côte d’Ivoire has undergone a remarkable economic transformation over the past decade. The world’s leading producer of cocoa and cashew nuts has maintained one of the fastest growth rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
The ambassador also referred to the government’s National Development Plan for 2026-2030, which aims to accelerate industrialization, modernize infrastructure and create jobs for the country’s young population.
Grande Côte d’Ivoire
In his Independence Day address on Aug. 6, President Ouattara called on the country’s youth, women, entrepreneurs and farmers to contribute to building what he described as a “Grande Côte d’Ivoire.”
“Our ambition for the years ahead is to build a Grande Côte d’Ivoire, not only through the strength of its economy and the scale of its infrastructure, but also through the quality of its development, the shared prosperity of its people and the place it occupies in Africa and the world,” the president said.
He added that the government would continue efforts to improve access to clean water, electricity, health care, quality education, housing and employment while strengthening support for vulnerable populations.
Concluding her remarks, Ambassador Touré urged Ivorians living in Türkiye to use their expertise and experience to contribute to their homeland’s development, emphasizing that the embassy would remain available to support the diaspora and facilitate its administrative procedures.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Turkish deputy foreign minister congratulated Côte d’Ivoire on the 66th anniversary of its independence and praised the progress achieved under President Ouattara “on the path of development and prosperity.”
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to deepening ties with Côte d’Ivoire, which he described as one of Ankara’s key partners in Africa. “We wish to implement more diversified and ambitious projects with Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in the fields of construction, infrastructure, health, education, energy and agriculture,” he said.
