Turkey – a strategic partner for Africa

Posted on : Saturday, 6th December 2014

 So claims, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkey – Mevlut Cavusoglu. He writes about this in his article, which was circulated to the media in Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda.

Comments on the partnership are not accidental. The Turkish-African summit shall be held in the capital city of Equatorial Guinea – Malabo between 9-10 November. The head of the Turkish MINISTRY of FOREIGN AFFAIRS stresses that his country “has never been in colonial relations with Africa but on the contrary – the Ottomans have always helped in the fight against colonial oppressors”.

The Minister also recalled that strengthening cooperation is already a reality thanks to the Turkish – Somalia agreement signed in 2011.  The turn in the direction of Africa took place already in 2005. Then the Government in Ankara devised an Open Policy strategy. Since then, Turkey has become an important partner in many fields  among others; development, trade and investment.

“Currently, this openness policy is fully being implemented,” – writes minister Cavusoglu. The motto of the Turkish-African partnership is “African problems require African solutions” – which clearly indicates the advisory role of Ankara on the issue of local conflicts.

Trade between Turkey and the Sub-Saharan countries has in the past 13 years increased tenfold and amounted to 7.5 billion dollars in 2013.

The Turkey – African Cooperation Summit will be attended by more than 200 leading entrepreneurs from Turkey, with the President – Recep Erdogan, leading the delegation.