Crimean government, Turkish TIKA agency agree on cooperation

The press office of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea said in a statement on Thursday.

"On October 24, during the IV International Black Sea Economic Forum a Memorandum of Cooperation has been signed between the Council of Ministers of Crimea and the Coordination Office of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA). The memorandum was signed by Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea Anatoliy Mohyliov and Head of the TIKA Office in Ukraine Haci Bayram Bolat," the report reads.

The purpose of the document is to ensure the effective implementation of international technical assistance projects in Crimea.

Under the instrument, the parties intend to strengthen cooperation in the humanitarian and cultural areas, in education, tourism, agriculture and rural development.

Also, the memorandum provides for cooperation in the field of health and social services.

The Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) was established on January 24, 1992 in order to provide development assistance foremost to developing countries where Turkish is spoken and countries that border Turkey as well as improve cooperation through projects and programs in economic, commercial, technical, social, cultural and educational arenas. TIKA currently maintains 23 coordination offices in 37 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. These strategic locations and the diversity of TIKA's projects have allowed the agency to not only serve as an effective manager of Turkey's development aid but to also become an important tool of Turkish public diplomacy.

Main operational activity of TIKA is technical cooperation for development of institutional capacity and human resources in partner countries. This is accomplished by providing training and advisory services in the fields where Turkey has a comparative advantage in terms of know-how and experience. These services are complemented by donations for capacity building. Another component of TIKA activities is the financing of infrastructure projects such as irrigation, sanitation and transportation projects, as well as, the construction or renovation of schools, hospitals, architectural objects of cultural heritage, etc. TIKA also extends humanitarian assistance.

АМ