Posted by meb at November 14th, 2008
Turkey, becoming a prominent actor in the global arena, has increased its foreign aid efforts, assisting developing countries with $5.2 billion in aid over the last four years.
The Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) undertakes aid projects throughout the world. TİKA has contributed greatly to the country’s efforts to help the needy, an old tradition dating back to Ottoman Empire era. Investing in the development of other countries helps Turkey improve its relations with the rest of the world. As part of these efforts, Turkey gives financial aid to other countries to support their growth and progress and help them find solutions to their problems. These projects contribute to Turkey’s efforts to bring peace and prosperity to regions that suffer from long-lasting political clashes.
The Turkish government keeps in touch with the countries it gives assistance to through their public bodies, universities and civil society organizations. TIKA carries out projects in a number of countries: according to official 2005 data, TIKA had implemented a total of 562 projects across Asia and the Caucuses, 205 across Eastern Europe and the Balkans, 28 in North Africa and 17 in the Middle East. (more…)