By Behul Cetinkaya

ANKARA

Meteorologists from 15 African countries are currently receiving training in meteorology in Turkey offered by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Singapore Cooperation Program (SCP).

The training takes place at the Meteorology Regional Directorate in Ankara. They are being trained on issues such as quality management, the use of satellite systems, and other meteorological subjects by Turkish and Singaporean experts.

Participant are from Benin, the Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Senegal.

Speaking at the opening program, A. Selvarajah, Singapore’s ambassador to Turkey, stated that they were happy to work in partnership with TIKA, the Turkish state aid agency.

"Turkey and Singapore are not only partners in economic issues but also assist developing countries," Selvarajah said.

He also praised Turkey’s humanitarian assistance.

"Turkey is a country that makes a lot of effort in humanitarian aid. Turkey hosts 2.7 million Syrians and 300,000 Iraqi refugees, which is the best example of Turkey’s generosity," he added.

Selvarajah said Singapore envies and appreciates Turkey’s work.

Ismail Gunes, the head of Turkey's State Meteorological Service, said meteorology requires global cooperation, unlike other issues.

"There are international criteria for people doing this work.

"For this reason we support the training that we have organized here and we hope all participants reach a certain level," he said.