Mali Bilaterale Relation with Turkey and India: Comparative Analysis for the Recent Development

Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India:

Comparative Analysis for the Recent Development

Abdourahamane DEMBELE,

PhD- International Relations

[email protected]

June 2015

1

Abstract:

Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India counted among the country general

vision adopted in the early 21th century toward emerging countries. This paper will highlight

the historical background of Mali bilateral relations with Turkey and India and touch the

recent development by analyzing different aspects: Diplomatic, Economic, Education and

Culture. The main research questions are: what has been done for Mali`s bilateral relations

with Turkey and India from 2010 to now? And what are the convergence and divergence

points for Mali`s bilateral relations with the two emerging countries?

The paper is based on the qualitative approach to descript the historical

background of Mali bilateral relations with Turkey and India, and to highlight what has been

accomplished for the both countries relations vis-à-vis Mali in the recent years: from 2010 to

the present by using and analyzing the data from primary sources- interviews, observation and

personal experiences as administrator in the diplomatic sector. The paper conclude that no

real difference about Mali relations vis-à-vis Turkey and India politically and diplomatically

from 2010 to now, but economically we can see that Mali-India businesses Cooperations is

stronger during the last period. However, in education domain, the two countries` education

relation with Mali is quietly different. In the end, there is not much cultural activity between

Mali and the two countries.

Keywords: Bilateral relations, Mali, Turkey, India, comparative analysis

2

Acronyms:

API-Mali: Agency to promote investment in Mali

AU: African Union

AUREP: Authority to promote Petroleum Research in Mali

DNGM: National Direction for Geology and Mining in Mali

DNI-Mali: National Direction of Industry-Mali

ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States

FEBAK: International Fair of Bamako

GOI: Government of India

KOSGEB: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation-Turkey

ICO: Islamic Cooperation Organisation

LDC: Least Developed Countries

LOC: Line of Credit offered by India

MEA: Ministry of External Affairs- India

MFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Turkey

MNLA: National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad-Mali

MOS (AS): Ministry of State- India

MTA: General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration-Turkey

NAM: Non-Aligned Movement

NEPAD: The New Partnerships for Africa`s Development

TERI: The Energy Resources Institute of India

TIKA: Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency

TPIC: Turkish Petroleum International Company

TSE: Turkish Standards Institution

UEMOA: West African Economic and Monetary Union

3

Table of Content

Abstract………………………………………………………….……………………..1

Acronyms………………………………………………………………………………2

Introduction and Literature Review……………………………………………….…...4

Historical background of Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India ……...…...5

Domains of interest of Mali relations toward Turkey and India.……….…………..…7

Comparative analyses for Mali Bilateral Relations vis-à-vis Turkey and India……...14

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….…17

The Reference………………………………………………………………….….…..18

.

4

Introduction:

Mali bilateral relations with Turkey and India marked an important era for country

general vision adopted in the early 21th century vis-a-vis emerging countries. Mali and

Turkey signed a cooperation agreement on Marche 18, 1999 while on October 2009 Mali

signed a protocol agreement with India. These Cooperations have opened a way for concerned

parties to get benefice and opportunities.

There is no doubt in literature of International Relations that relations between nations

and states opens opportunities and paves ways for advantage and favorable conditions for the

concerned parties and minimizing their failures to be a closed country. We can observe

through literature that no much study about Mali relations vis-à-vis Turkey and India, only

few articles and diplomatic reports touched the topic poorly, so the paper will touch the recent

development of Mali bilateral relations with Turkey and India and compare the both

countries` domains of interest vis-à-vis Mali since 2010 to now: politics, economic, education

and cultural aspects. The main research questions are: what has been done for Mali`s bilateral

relations with Turkey and India from 2010 to now? And what are the convergence and

divergence points for Mali`s bilateral relations with the two emerging countries?

The research is based on the qualitative approach to descript the historical background

of the Mali bilateral relations with Turkey and India, highlight to what has been accomplished

in the recent years. And to analyze the data collected from primary sources- as interviews,

observation and personal experiences as Administrator in the diplomatic sector. The research

is limited from 2010 to 2015 focused on the three countries` official documents: Mali, India

and Turkey through their Embassies and Foreign Ministries.

.

5

Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India: Historical Background

Historical Background of Mali-Turkey relation

Mali-Turkey`s relations dating back to Ottoman Empire Era. The Ottoman Empire had

good relations with the king of Timbuktu, Askia Mohammed TOURE during the Songhai

Empire in 15th

century (MFA-Turkey, 2015). However, the recent cooperation between the

two countries started by Economic cooperation agreement signed in Bamako-Mali on March

18, 1999, and on October 26, 1999, the agreement was adopted by council of ministers of

Mali and be published in the Official Journal on December 19, 1999 (MFA-Mali, 2013).

The reinforcement of Mali-Turkey relation has refreshed in 2005 when Turkey set up a

new vision and strategy on the Development of the Economic Relations with African

Countries. Turkey declared 2005 as a Year of Africa. Then, in 2008, the African Union during

its 10th Summit declared Turkey as a strategic partner of the Continent and materialized those

partnerships projects through the Istanbul Summit in the same year. On that perspective,

Mali-Turkey`s mix commission had established to discuss and materialise the economic

Cooperations agreement. The mix-commission took its first meeting on February 2009 in

Bamako, then the second meeting in Ankara on June 2013.

In the beginning of 2010, the diplomatic relations started between the two nations;

Turkey opened its Embassy in Mali on February 1, 2010 to facilitate the bilateral

Cooperations and reinforce the diplomatic relations. In the same year, the Republic of Mali

opens its embassy in Ankara. By showing its solidarity and fraternity to the people of Mali, on

March 2012, Turkey reinters its support to government of Mali since the beginning of the

North crisis and after the military coup in the same year. Turkish Foreign Minister on that

time, Ahmet Davutoğlu declared in April 2013 his country’s support for Mali’s security and

stability and stressed the need for solution without a lasting foreign influence in the country

during the meeting with his Malian counterpart in Ankara. Moreover, Turkey had shown its

interests for contributing to the peacebuilding attempts between the Mali government and the

Separatist movement MNLA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad). Turkey

offered to Mali to host the future talks between the two sides, but it has been delayed due to

the presidential and legislative elections in Mali, and the initiative adopted by African leaders

(African Solutions for African Problems) project to support the AU and ECOWAS operations

in Mali. Turkey actively participates in the Mali Contact Group of the Islamic Cooperation

organisation and Turkey aims to host the meeting of this group in Turkey. And it also took

6

part in donor activities for post-conflict reconstruction in Mali and offered TIKA assistance to

preserve cultural artefacts` damaged in the fighting (MFA-Turkey, 2015).

The recent visit of H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA- IBK, president of the Republic of

Mali to Turkey marked an important phase for the both countries` relations. The president

came to Ankara- accompanied by six ministers: Foreign Minister, defence Minister, Finance,

Culture... and different businessmen from private sectors- on February 2-5, 2015 and the two

presidents come together to sign many cooperation’s agreements in economics, security,

culture, education and bilateral engagement against terrorism (Emb-Mali, 2015). In addition,

during the visit of president, the two countries set up a forum in Istanbul (Istanbul Forum)

between businessmen and entrepreneurs in the private sector for the both countries. And less

than two months later, more than thirty Turkish economic operators visited Mali to come up

discussing the business opportunities for both counties as was fixed in the Istanbul Forum

between the two countries` economic operators during the president visit.

Historical Background of Mali-India relation

Mali and India have traditionally maintained warm and friendly political relations.

Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement-NAM. In view of the growing

political and economic relations and considering the future potential, GOI decided to open an

Embassy in Bamako in May 2009. Mali opened an Embassy in New Delhi in August 2010. In

October 2009, India and Mali signed a Protocol for Foreign Office Consultations and an

Agreement on Political, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Co-operation (BAM-

POL, 2014).

The Efforts of H.E. Mr. Amadou Toumani TOURE, former-President of the Republic

of Mali, in recent years had contributed to intensify the two countries’ relations. President

Toure visited India on the first-ever State Visit on January 10-12, 2012. The Presidential

delegation included six Ministers and other senior government officials. A business

delegation comprising heads of business associations and private entrepreneurs also

accompanied the President. During the visit, the President met the President and Prime

Minister of India and had interactions with the business community in a Business Meeting

jointly organized by India. Many Bilateral agreements signed during the State Visit included,

Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Geology/Mineral Resources and Line of Credit

Agreement.

7

Several other high-level visits have taken place during the last three years from Mali to

India. In 2011, two ministerial delegations visited India. Prof. Tiemoko Sangare, former

Minister for Environment & Sanitation of Mali attended the annual Summit on Sustainable

Development organised by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) from 3-5 February 2011 at

New Delhi on an invitation from the Economic Commission of Africa of the UN. Former

Foreign Minister of Mali visited India on February 2011 to attend the Ministerial Meeting of

Least Developed Countries (LDC’s).

From the Indian side, we noted the visit of First Secretary of (West), MEA to Bamako

in June 2006. MOS (AS) paid a visit to Bamako in November 2007 to attend the 4th

Ministerial Meeting of the Community of Democracies. The two embassies: Mali and India

played significant role to improve the bilateral relations and facilitate achievement of many

partnerships projects in different domains; as Political, Economic, Scientific, Technical and

Cultural Co-operation. When the democratic order has restored in September 2013 by

successful presidential and legislative elections after the military coup on March 22-23 2012,

the Government of India, while welcoming the development has reiterated its willingness to

further strengthening its development cooperation partnership with Mali.

Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India: domains of interest

Domains of Interest: Mali-Turkey relations

Mali and Turkey since the beginning of cooperation between the two countries many

initiatives have been lined and evolution has been observed for bilateral Cooperations from

the both sides. Below the domain of interest and its evolutions.

Political and Diplomatic Cooperations:

Turkey and Mali recent diplomatic relations could be marked when Mali opened the

two honorary consulates in Istanbul and Ankara, in 1990 and 1998 respectively. But these

relations have quietly reinforced after adopting by Turkey the new vision and strategy toward

Africa. On February 1, 2010 Turkey opened its Embassy in Bamako and in the same year,

Mali opened its Embassy in Ankara to mark an important phase for diplomatic relations

between the two countries. Many diplomatic visits and bilateral meetings have observed

during the recent period through different platforms; as ICO platform, UEMOA platform and

UA platform. Nevertheless, the former president Amadou Tomani TOURE had done the first

top-level visit of Mali to Turkey during the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit in August

8

2008, and the presidents of the two countries have a bilateral meeting in the margins of the

Summit (Emb-Mali, 2015). The recent visit of President Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA to Turkey

on February 3-6, 2015 marked an important era for the two countries relations. However, still

now no diplomatic visit at high level has been recorded from Turkey to Mali, except the

Ministerial level, as the visit of Prof. Mehmet AYDIN on February 25-27, 2009 and other

ministries.

There are some events marked important phases for the two countries’ diplomatic

relations (MFA-Mali, 2013):

The two countries signed an agreement in Bamako-Mali on October 12, 2011 for

the suppression of Visa for the diplomatic and official passports holders.

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the both countries signed in Istanbul the

Protocol Agreement for bilateral cooperation on April 6, 2013 during the visit of

Malian Foreign Minister to Turkey.

Establishment of Memorandum in Ankara between the Diplomatic Academies of

both Foreign Ministers on June 19, 2013.

Mali government voted for Turkey candidate for the post no-permanent member to

UN for the period 2009-2010.

Free land agreement for diplomatic representation of the both countries.

Business and Commerce Cooperations:

Business and Commerce`s relation between Mali and Turkey started by Protocol

Agreement signed in Bamako on March 18, 1999. Moreover, the commission mix headed its

first meeting on February 2009, and during the opening ceremony with Malian Foreign

Minister, Prof AYDIN stressed on the importance of business relations between the two

countries, especially on the domain of Agriculture, Transport, Industry, Construction,

Engineering, Health and Tourism.

The mix commission has been established to materialise and get forward the economic

cooperation between the two sides, and through their two meetings in 2009 and 2013, they

generated the following events (MFA-Mali, 2013):

Annual participation of Mali: business delegation in the International fair/

commercial exhibition of Izmir, as well as the participation of Mali in the (Pont du

Commerce Exterieur Turco-Africain) on May 13-15, 2008 and June 1-6, 2009.

9

Annual participation of Turkey in the International Fair/ FEBAK in Bamako.

The two countries manifested their intention to establish the Free Zone and also

agreement for free exchange based on the mutual interest

Establishment of cooperation to promote the sector of Small and Medium

Enterprises between the two countries. It is headed by API-MALI and KOSGEB.

Establishment of cooperation on the domain of Standardisation and Norms for

business purpose headed by DNI-MALI and TSE-Turkish.

The examination of proposal submitted by Turkey for Mines and Petrol

exploitation in Mali, and the discussion is going between the two institutions:

TPIC and MTA- Turkish and AUREP and DNGM-Mali. And Turkey was invited

by Mali to participate on Mining days from 30 March to 02 April 2009.

The two parties signed for Air transport on May 31, 2012, which leads to begin the

Turkish Airline direct flight to Bamako in May 2015.

The Trade volume between the two countries has increased from 11.3 Millions

USD in 2010 to 43 Millions USD in 2014 which 9.9 millions USD and 38 millions

USD respectively from Turkey side. Turkey intents to increase this trade volume

to 500 million USD as centennial goals of the country

Education and Training Cooperations:

Mali requested during the former Foreign Minister visit to Ankara in 2013, as well as

during the recent visit of H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, the president of Mali on February

2015, they requested to promote an educational cooperation: universities, Post-universities

levels and the exchange programmes (Emb-Mali, 2015). There around 200 Malian students in

Turkey now, most of them are private students graduated from Turkish School in Mali.

Nevertheless, as agreed during the bilateral talk, Turkish Government intends to increase the

quote of Scholarships offered to Mali during the following years.

Cultural Cooperations:

Cultural cooperation has initiated between the two countries during the visit of H.E.

Ibrahim B. KEITA on February 2015, accompanied by Minister of Culture and other

Ministers, and agreement has signed to promote cultural activities between the both nations

10

(Emb-Mali, 2015). However, there one Turkish film/ series: Gümüş or Noor dubbed in

French, has broadcasted by Mali National TV: ORTM during 2010-2011.

Mali-India relations: domains of interest

Mali and India since the establishment of protocol agreement between the two nations,

they signed different cooperation’s agreement as domains of interest. And an important

evolution has been observed from the both sides. Below, the domains of interest and its

evolutions.

Political and Diplomatic Cooperations:

There is not much evolution on the politics and diplomatic relations between the two

countries, because the process to reinforce the diplomatic relations- initiated by the former

president of Mali, Amadou Toumani TOURE- has been stopped after the Coup-d’état on

March 22-23, 2012. But during the North crisis and Transition period, the government of

India through its Embassy in Bamako expressed and reinters its support for peace process and

integration. When the democratic order has restored in September 2013 by successful

presidential and legislative election after the military coup, the Government of India as

reiterated again its willingness to further strengthening its development cooperation

partnership with Mali

We can observe during the period from 2010 to now, there were few high level visits

from both sides; we can noted the visit of H.E. Mr. Amadou Toumani Toure, former-

President of the Republic of Mali to India on January 10-12, 2012, the visit of Prof. Tiemoko

Sangare, former Minister for Environment & Sanitation of Mali and the visit of Former

Foreign Minister of Mali visited India in February 2011. However, from India side, it can be

observed the visit of First Secretary of (West), MEA to Bamako in June 2006, visit of MOS

(AS) in November 200 and the visit of GOI during the opening ceremony of Indian Embassy

in Mali. In addition, the two countries reinforce their diplomatic Cooperations through

regional and international organisation`s platforms; NAM platforms, NEPAD platform and

UA Platforms (BAM-POL, 2014).

Business and Commerce Cooperations:

Mali offers good opportunities and prospects for the Indian entrepreneurs and

investors, especially in the fields of Agriculture (cotton, food processing, abattoirs and

11

tanneries), Automobile (two-wheeler segment), Mining (gold, iron ore, phosphates, uranium,

bauxite, zinc, manganese, tin and copper) and Pharmaceuticals (generic drugs). Moreover, the

main items of interest of Mali in India are equipment for electricity transmission, machinery

and machine parts, transport equipments, drugs/medical substances & pharmaceuticals, and

processed food items. Thus, there is tremendous scope for improvement on the bilateral trade

between the two countries.

There are now in Mali many small or Agencies of Multidimensional Indian

enterprises, most of them work in mining, power, steel, cement, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas

exploration and agro industry sectors under various lines of credits extended to Mali by India

and other international organizations. In addition, they contribute actively for promoting Mali-

India business relations. There now, two projects marked significant points for Mali-India

partnerships (BAM-COM, 2014):

Lines of Credit: India has so far extended Lines of Credit worth US$ 303.62 million to

Mali under various bilateral schemes/ and other projects of TEAM-9, NEPAD and

ECOWAS for rural electrification, tractors and tractor assembly plant, railway coaches

and locomotives, power-grid interconnection between Cote d’Ivoire and Mali and

power distribution, agriculture and food processing. A major power transmission

Project from the city of Sikasso to Bamako via Bougouni, for which India had

extended LOC of US dollars 100 million is at the final tendering stage.

Pan-African e-Network Project: This project, which aims to connect all the Africans

through a satellite and optical fibre network with a view to providing educational

programmes, is operational in Bamako, Mali with the assistance of

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), the implementing agency.

From the period of 2010 to now, Indian exports to Mali increased from US$ 42.24

million to US$ 130.94 million in 2014 and it has expected to reach 155.22 at the end of 2015.

In the same time, Mali exports to India has quietly increased, from 3,32 USD million in 2010

to 20,32 USD million, and it has expected to continue progressing during 2015 to 27,15 USD

million. However, there is a big different between the two countries exports volume which

may be due to the two countries economic capacities or other economic factors. The main

items of Indian export to Mali are: equipments for electricity transmission, and other raw

materials as mentioned above. India’s imports from Mali are limited to raw cotton and few

agro products like shea nuts. Below a table showing Mali-India`s trade volume.

12

Table No: 01: India-Mali Trade Figures (2010-2015) (In US$ Millions)

Year India`s Exp India`s Imports Total Trade

2010 42,24 3,32 45,56

2011 57,44 7,2 64,64

2012 67,2 9,1 76,3

2013 105,01 14,55 119,56

2014 130,94 20,32 151,26

2015 155,22 27,15 182,37

Total 558,05 81,64 639,69

Source: BAM/COM/275/2/2014

Graphic No: 01: India-Mali Trade Figures (2010-2015) (In US$ Millions)

Source: Data from Table

Graphic No: 02: India-Mali Trade Figures (2005-2015) (In US$ Millions)

Source: Data from Table

42,24

57,44

67,02

105,01 130,94

155,22

India`s Exp 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

3,32 7,2

9,1

14,55

20,32

27,15

Mali`s Exp 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

13

Graphic No: 03: India-Mali Trade Figures (2005-2015) (In US$ Millions)

Source: Data from Table

Education and Training Cooperations:

There is not much cooperation on the domains of education, except scholarships from

India to Mali for middle and short training programme. Below the different scholarships

offered by Indian Government through its Embassy in Mali (Emb-India, 2014):

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC): the Ministry of External

Affairs of the Government of India, under which all expenses including

international airfare, boarding, lodging, tuition fees, etc. are borne by the GOI,

administers The ITEC programme. These programmes essentially aim to enhance

the qualification and skills of persons already employed by government

establishments. There ITEC ordinary and ITEC defence for Militaries.

The India Africa Forum Summit initiatives (IAFS): Apart from the ITEC / SCAAP

courses, a number of other training courses have also offered under the initiatives of

the India-Africa Forum Summits.

Agricultural scholarships are under the IAFS initiatives.

The Africa Scholarship Scheme (ASC), India also offers scholarships for higher

studies in Indian Universities.

The C. V. Raman Fellowship scheme, scholarships offered for Parliamentary and

Diplomatic officers.

In addition to these scholarships, there are many private students went to India for

studying and few students gained some scholarships through some NGO`s in Mali and India.

0

50

100

150

200

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

India`s Exp

Mali`s Exp

14

Cultural Cooperations:

Mali-India Cultural Relation is quietly progressed, and it is expected to continue

developing due to popularity of India music and Films in Mali. A ten-member Malian

traditional music group ‘Ensemble Instrumental National of Mali’ visited India between 18-19

June 2012 to take part and perform at the Africa Day Festival organized by the Indian Council

for Cultural Relations. Recently, the Embassy has also facilitated airing of an Indian TV-

series 'Kabhie Kabhie', and other different series dubbed in French, broadcasted by ORTM -

Mali's national TV. The programme is very popular among Malian viewers. In addition, Mali

and Indian Community in Bamako through Indian Embassy they organised Festival/ Cultural

days on December 13-15, 2014 (Emb-India, Cultural Exchange, 2014).

Comparative analyse of Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India

A. Comparative analyse of Political Cooperations

By comparing Mali relations toward Turkey and India politically and diplomatically

we can observed that there is no much difference between the two countries political

relations vis-à-vis Mali; during the period 2010-2015, diplomatic visit at presidential level

has not been recorded no from Turkey side neither from Indian side. Moreover, two

presidential level visits have been recorded from Mali to Turkey, and one presidential level

visit to India. But both sides paid official visits to Mali at Ministerial level and also the both

countries expressed their support to Mali during the North Crisis and the Military coup in

2012. Nevertheless, Turkey Political Relations with Mali is gradually developed recently

more than Mali-India diplomatic Relations. This decline may due to Military coup of 2012

against the former President Amadou Toumani TOURE, the initiator of Mali-India

Relations. Moreover, the two countries reinforce their diplomatic relations vis-à-vis Mali

through regional or international platforms: ECOWAS, ICO, NAM, UEMOA and UA.

Below a table shows in details the comparison status for Mali political relations toward

Turkey and India

15

Table No 02: Comparison of Mali Political relations to Turkey and India 2010-2015

Elements Mali-Turkey Diplomatic Relations Mali-India Diplomatic Relations

Mali-Turkey Turkey-Mali Mali-India India-Mali

Presidential level visit Two visits N/A One visit N/A

Other high level visit Yes Yes Yes Yes

Diplomatic

representative

2010 2010 2010 2009

Visa for Diplomats and

Officials

N/A N/A Free visa Free visa

Agreement for

Diplomatic Cooperation

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Using Regional and

International Platforms

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Military Coup of 2012

and North crisis

Turkey against Military coup of

2012,Support Mali for North Crisis and

expressed to host a dialogue

India against Military coup of

2012,Support Mali for North Crisis

Source: the Student

B. Comparative analyse of Economics Cooperations

Mali-India businesses Cooperations started faster and continue to develop gradually

compared to Mali-Turkish Business Cooperations; the trade volume of Mali-India has been

moved from 64.56 USD million in 2010 to 151, 26 USD million in 2014 and it has expected

to reach 182, 37 USD million at the end of 2015. As well as, the Imports and Exports

volume are gradually developing; in addition, the presence of many Indian enterprises in

Mali has played an important role for this progress. In the Turkish side, we can see huge

evolution for Trade volume in term of percentage; from 11.3 USD million in 2010 to 43

USD million in 2014, means 380%. The trade volume - as can be seen through the table- is

not sufficient to express a good economic relation between the two countries. But this

situation could be changed in the following years due to both Nations` willingness to get

forward the business Cooperations as expressed by the two presidents during the visit of

H.E. Ibrahim B. KEITA to Ankara on February 2015. Below a table to compare Mali`s

Business Relations to Turkey and India.

16

Table No 03: Comparison of Mali Business relation to Turkey and India 2010-14(US$mllion)

Elements Mali-Turkey Business Relations Mali-India Business Relations

Mali-Turkey Turkey-Mali Mali-India India-Mali

Trade volume 2010 -

2014

11,3 11,3 64.56 64.56

43 43 151,26 151,26

Imports volume 2010-

2014

9,9 1,4 42,24 3,32

38 5 130,94 20,32

Exports volume2010-14 1,4 9,9 3,32 42,24

5 38 20,32 130,94

Country Exp. Materials Raw Materils,

Mining in Nego

Construction

equip,

Raw Materials and

Mining

Electricity equp,

Pharma and

Transport equp

Country Imprt Materials Construction

equip,

Raw Materils,

Mining in Nego

Electricity, Transp

equp, Pharma

Raw Materials

and Mining

Country`s Companies Few Companies Few Companies Few Companies More than 20

Source: the Student

C. Comparative analyse of Educations and Training Cooperations

Mali Education`s Relations with Turkey and India are quietly different; India has an

agreement for education and training Cooperations while Turkey-Mali in negotiation to

establish that agreement. In addition, most of Indian Scholarships passed through official

ways, means it passes between the two governments while Turkey offers unilaterally

scholarships to Malian Students without passing through Malian Government. There also

different training Cooperations between Mali and India while there is not training exchange

programmes between Mali and Turkey. For defence domain, there is an agreement between

Mali and the both countries for defence training programmes, but significant progress in this

domain has been observed between Mali and India more than Turkey side. Below a table

shows the comparison for Mali education Cooperations with Turkey and India.

17

Table No 04: Comparison of Mali Education Cooperations to Turkey and India 2010-2015

Elements Mali-Turkey Education Relations Mali-India Education Relations

Official agreement on Education In process Establish on 2010

Official Academic Scholarships Started in 2014 between the two

governments ( 10 students)

Started in 2010 (30 student)

Official Training Scholarships

(short period)

N/A From 2010 to 2015:

Around 295 beneficiaries from

Mali

Defence Scholarships There an agreement, but no

significant progress has been

observed

From 2010 to 2015:

Around 250 beneficiaries from

Mali

Other Scholarships 95 Students under YTB Few Students through NGO`s

Private Students 105 Students in Turkey More than 90 Students

Source: the Student

D. Comparative analyse of Cultural Cooperations

There are no much cultural activities- except an agreement signed for cultural

activities- between Mali and Turkey as well as between Mali and India. However, from

Indian side, we can only observe the visit of Mali Music Group to India on June 2012 and

also Mali-Indian festival on December 2014. In addition, Indian films are more popular in

Mali more than Turkish Series.

Conclusion:

Mali Bilateral Relations with Turkey and India marked the country general vision

adopted in the early 21th century toward emerging countries. This paper highlighted the

historical background of Mali bilateral relations with Turkey and India and touched the recent

development from 2010 to now in Diplomatic, Economic, Education and Cultural aspect. By

comparing Mali relations vis-à-vis Turkey and India politically and diplomatically we can

observed that there is no much difference between the two countries political relations

towards Mali; during the period 2010-2015, diplomatic visit at presidential level has not been

recorded no from Turkey side neither from Indian side. Economically we can see that Mali-

India businesses Cooperations is stronger during the last period. However, in education

domain, the two countries` education relation with Mali is quietly different. In the end, there

is not much cultural activity between Mali and the two countries.

18

The References:

1) Embassy of India- Bamako: BAM/POL/201/1/2014: India-Mali Diplomatic Cooperations

2) Embassy of India- Bamako: BAM/COM/275/2/2014: India-Mali Economic Cooperations

3) Embassy of India- Bamako: Training Programmes: www.amb-inde-bamako.org

4) Embassy of India- Bamako: Cultural Exchange: www.amb-inde-bamako.org

5) Embassy of Mali- Ankara: The Report of Commission Mix February 2009

6) Embassy of Mali- Ankara: The Report of Commission Mix June 2013

7) Embassy of Mali- Ankara: The Report of President visit to Ankara February 2015

8) Embassy of Turkey- Mali: Turkey-Mali Cooperations: http://bamako.be.mfa.gov.tr/

9) Ministry of External Affairs-India: http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/CountryQuickLink

10) Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Mali: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.ml/

11) Minister of Foreign Affairs- Turkey : www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-mali

12) TIKA Annual Report 2010

13) TIKA Annual Report 2011

14) TIKA Annual Report 2012

15) TIKA Annual Report 2013

16) TIKA Annual Report 2014