SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

In 2006, an exploratory mission from Burundi visited Turkey and in 2007, the Turkish Government has granted to Burundi four doctoral studies scholarships. For the 2008-2009 academic year, these awards have increased to seven for university education and three for doctoral training.

The number of scholarships granted to Burundian Students by Turkish Government has increased year by year. Thus, for the 2013 – 2014 academic year, the Turkish Government has offered scholarship opportunities for higher education to 13 Burundian Students and promised to keep this trend in the coming years.

In order to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries, an Air Agreement was signed between the two countries and Turkish Airlines flights will be established between Istanbul and Bujumbura as part of this agreement.

Economic and commercial cooperation agreement was also approved by the Governments of both countries, while other agreements like military cooperation agreement, the visa waiver agreement for citizens of both countries, holders of diplomatic and service passports, as well as memoranda of understanding between various institutions of both parties are being prepared.

Also, the vice-President of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Mehmet Süreyya Er, represented Turkey at the Development Partners Conference on Burundi that took place on 29-30 October 2012 in Geneva.

As of bilateral trade volume between Burundi and Turkey, it is estimated at 5.3 million USD in 2014.