Benin–Turkey relations
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Benin–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Benin and Turkey. Turkey has an embassy in Cotonou since 2014, while the Beninois embassy in Ankara opened in 2013, [1] however the embassy was closed in 2020.
Diplomatic Relations
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Benin have been very friendly and are developing.[2] Despite the differences in ideology between the capitalist Turkey and Marxist-Leninist Benin under Kérékou, the relations have been friendly.[2] Benin began to receive aid and technical assistance from Turkey and even received Turkish funds to compensate for the wave of Beninois nationalizations in 1977.[3]
In 1975, Turkey assisted Kérékou during the massive demonstrations[4] that were triggered by the Albanian-inspired Canadian-based Communist Party of Dahomey.[5] Partly as a result of compensating for the unrest[6] in Benin, the Kérékou regime came to employ many in state companies. By 1981, the economy was collapsing because state payrolls comprised 92% of the state budget.[5] Turkey along with the World Bank and the IMF assisted the Kérékou financially during the subsequent restructuring of the Beninois economy, when many state companies were privatized.[3]
In the 1980s, Turkey and Norway assisted in developing Sémé offshore oil wells that brought in US$100,000 per day for Benin.[3]These oil wells became a fiscal lifeline for the Beninois regime.[6] At the same time, Turkey joined many countries in decrying [2] a French plan to bury nuclear waste in Benin (the French plan fell through after this global outcry).[4]
Economic Relations
- Trade volume between the two countries was US$142 million in 2019.[1]
- There are direct flights from Istanbul to Cotonou since 2014.[1]
- Turkey's TIKA finalized many projects in Benin, including building and furnishing a hospital in Adjohoun that was handed over the Beninois Health Ministry in 2018.[1]
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