Ankara — President Ali Bongo Ondimba will visit Ankara and Istanbul this week, sixteen months after the official visit to Libreville of his Turkish counterpart, President Abdullah Gael, on 24 and 25 March 2011.

The Gabonese flag is flying alongside the Turkish flag the length of the road leading to the Esenboga international airport in Ankara, announcing the imminent arrival, on 18 July, of an honoured guest, the Head of a State about which the Turkish President said during the joint press conference on 25 March 2011: "Gabon is one of the countries in Africa with the most economic potential and it also enjoys strong leadership thanks to President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The agreements that we have signed together today are a clear sign of our desire to create win-win partnerships between our two countries"

This assessment by the Turkish President perfectly describes the context of this official visit, which aims to strengthen ties between Turkey and Gabon and to give substance to the seven agreements signed on 25 March between the two Heads of State on tourism cooperation, diplomatic consultations, the prevention of double taxation and tax evasion, the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, the visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, and matters relating to defense and health.

This is also a chance for the Heads of State to reflect on the progress of maritime cooperation and free trade projects and cooperation in agriculture and air transportation and to explore all other areas of common interest.

As a continuation of the meeting between the two Presidents in Libreville, where a Gabon-Turkey economic forum was organized by the Ministries of Economy and Foreign Affairs together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Head of State will be given the opportunity to directly address Istanbul, talking to investors in person about investment opportunities in Gabon and strengthening potential new partnerships.