(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (center L) meets Tripoli Mayor Abdurrauf Hasan and other city councilors in Tripoli on May 30
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Monday to express Turkey’s support for the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and discuss restarting diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Cavusoglu said that he hoped that Turkey would be the first country to reopen its embassy in Tripoli, which was closed since 2014 due to Libya’s security situation, and that it would start the process of reopening the Turkish Embassy.
The Turkish Foreign Minister met with Sarraj and other members of the Presidential council, including Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Siyala.
Cavusoglu also said that Turkey hoped to boost its economic presence in the north African country.
“Turkish companies wish to resume their activities in Libya in the sectors of transport, communications and especially of energy, which is a priority for Libya at this time,” he said in a press conference.
The Turkish foreign minister also addressed problems frequently encountered by Libyan nationals who sought visas to Turkey.
“We have given the necessary instructions to our consulates in Libya regarding the extension of Turkish visas to Libyans,” he said.
“We have begun e-visa applications and authorized some private companies to begin granting visas,” Cavusoglu added.
In addition, Turkey delivered 10 tons of food and medical supplies from the Turkish Red Crescent to the Presidential Council to distribute to various Libyan institutions on Monday.
“The Turkish Red Crescent is not indifferent to Libya’s plight,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s Middle East deputy manager, Kemal Onur Ozceri, told Anadolu Agency.
“These donations illustrate Turkey’s solidarity with our Libyan brothers ahead of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan,” he said.
