Oct 20, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
The Director-General of Libyan Customs, Major General Suleiman Ali Salem,
and his Turkish counterpart have reached an agreement on implementing the
mutual administrative cooperation customs agreement, signed between the two
parties in 2014.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Turkish Ministry of Trade in Ankara, where delegations from both customs authorities convened.
The Libyan Customs Authority said in a statement that, the two sides
“signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at activating the exchange of
information. It also aims at enhancing collaborative efforts in conducting
training activities to improve the efficiency of customs officers.”
The meeting discussed the crucial role that customs authorities play in
facilitating the flow of goods, consumer protection, and bolstering economic
security between the two nations.
Notably, the Turkish disaster management agency AFAD said it sent 850 tons
of humanitarian aid materials to flood-hit Libya, according to Anadolu Agency.
The agency in a statement said it continues its efforts to heal the wounds
of Libyans hit by the 10 September floods. It added that aid supplies sent
earlier were delivered via both airplanes and ships, and Sunday’s consignment
was loaded from Izmir’s Alsancak Port.
Floodwaters resulting from storm Daniel contributed to significant damage
across northeastern Libya, affecting housing, health facilities, water
networks, and other infrastructure, according to the UN. At least 4,300 people
died, and 43,000 were displaced due to the disaster.
In August, the Turkish Ministry of Defence denied reports suggesting that
the Turkish army has rented the Libyan port of Al-Khoms.
In an official statement, the ministry stated that the Libyan authorities
had decided to evacuate all civilian elements from the military port of
Al-Khoms, on 5 August.
Ankara further clarified that the rumours circulating about the allocation
of the military section of the port to the Turkish forces were “baseless, and
aimed at creating false narratives.”
“The decision taken by the Libyan authorities regarding the port of
Al-Khoms has no connection whatsoever with Turkey or our activities,” the
Turkish ministry affirmed. It suggested that these false reports were
propagated by third parties with ulterior motives against Turkey.
Libya Review