| COLOURS, RACES AND RELIGIONS ARE NOT OUR MATTERS ! |
TURKISH PRESIDENT'S ALGERIA, THE GAMBIA AND SENEGAL VISITS
26 JAN 2020) PRESS MEETING BEFORE DEPARTURE
In a press conference at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul before departing for Algeria, President Erdoğan said: “With the projects they carry out in Africa, our businesspeople contribute to Africa’s development and assume critical roles in meeting the continent’s infrastructure needs. The relations between Turkey and Africa grow stronger day by day on the basis of mutual respect, equality and win-win principle.”
“TURKEY-AFRICA RELATIONS GROW STRONGER DAY BY DAY ON THE BASIS OF EQUALITY AND WIN-WIN PRINCIPLE”
Pointing out that his visit to Africa between January 26 and 28 will cover Algeria, Gambia and Senegal, President Erdoğan stressed that ministers, deputies and businesspeople would be accompanying him during the visit.
Noting that Turkey and Algeria have historical ties dating back five centuries, President Erdoğan said the relations get stronger and stronger in line with the friendship and cooperation agreement signed during his visit to the country back in 2006.
The visit to Algeria would be followed by a visit to Gambia on January 27, said the President. Emphasizing the importance he attaches to the Gambia visit since it is the first-ever official visit at the Presidential level from Turkey, President Erdoğan stated: “Gambia has a distinguished place for us in that it is the first country to shut down a Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)-affiliated school in Africa. We want to boost our relations with Gambia in every area, especially in trade and tourism.”
Noting that he would proceed from Gambia to Senegal, President Erdoğan underscored Turkey’s desire to reinforce relations with Senegal, which he described as a “beacon of stability” in the region. The President continued: “Our countries currently live a golden age in bilateral relations, so to speak. This visit will offer an opportunity to discuss investments as well as other matters on our agenda.”
Drawing attention to the policy of opening up to Africa which Turkey has been pursuing in a multidimensional and multilayered manner since 2003, President Erdoğan stated: “With the projects they carry out in Africa, our businesspeople contribute to Africa’s development and assume critical roles in meeting the continent’s infrastructure needs. The relations between Turkey and Africa grow stronger day by day on the basis of mutual respect, equality and win-win principle.”
“PUTSCHIST HAFTAR BRINGS ABOUT DIVISION IN LIBYA”
In answer to a question regarding Haftar’s attacks in Libya and the latest situation in Idlib, President Erdoğan noted that the Berlin Process concerning Libya was addressed during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Turkey last Friday. President Erdoğan stated that putschist Haftar, having rejected the efforts for a peaceful settlement both in Moscow and Berlin, brings about division and perennial violations of ceasefire in Libya.
As regards Iblib, President Erdoğan said: “The regime unfortunately continues its treason. It carries on bombing and killing civilians. It is impossible not to see this insensitivity of the regime.”
Following the press conference, President Erdoğan left Turkey for Algeria. Accompanying the President on his Africa visit are First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez.
26 JANUARY 2020) President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is in Algiers to pay an official visit at the invitation of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria.
Welcomed by President Tebboune with an official ceremony at Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport, President Erdoğan inspected the guard of honor after the national anthems of Turkey and Algeria were played. Accompanying President Erdoğan in Algeria are First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez.
First Lady Emine Erdoğan inaugurated a computer lab at Martyr Arezki Adjoud Primary School in Algiers.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, First Lady Erdoğan voiced her happiness to visit Algeria, and said: “Africa walks towards the future with its natural richness, cultural background and gracious people. I hope the 21st century will be better for Africa.”Noting that technological means will help young generations be more prepared for the future and achieve more success, Mrs. Erdoğan said: Today, we are opening a computer lab built by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the friendly hand of our country. I congratulate all who have contributed to building it.”
President Erdoğan visits Martyrs’ Memorial in Algeria
Accompanied by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, President Erdoğan laid a wreath at the memorial. After the national anthem of Algeria was played, President Erdoğan prayed for the martyrs.
President Erdoğan holds joint press conference with President Tebboune of Algeria
“TURKEY WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVES IN A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR ALGERIA”
Congratulating his Algerian counterpart Tebboune on his election to the presidency, President Erdoğan said: “I feel honored to be paying the first-ever presidential visit after his inauguration.”
Voicing Turkey’s wholehearted belief in a prosperous future for Algeria, President Erdoğan stated: “We don’t deem Algeria’s security, peace and welfare separate from our own.”
Noting that the region’s problems and their possible solutions were discussed during their meeting, President Erdoğan said: “Drawing strength from the historical, friendly and brotherly ties dating back five centuries between Turkey and Algeria, we seek to deepen our bilateral relations and cooperation in every area.”
“SOLUTION CANNOT BE ACHIEVED IN LIBYA THROUGH MILITARY METHODS”
Stressing that their meeting offered an opportunity to exchange views on regional matters, President Erdoğan said: “During the difficult period our region is going through, Algeria continues to act as an element of stability and peace. However, the incidents in Libya directly affect neighboring Algeria. We are aware of such problems as refugee burden and security issues facing Algeria. From the outset of the crisis, we have underlined that solution cannot be achieved through military methods in Libya.”
Describing dialogue, conciliation and inclusiveness as the key to lasting stability, President Erdoğan stated: “We welcome Algeria’s participation in the Berlin Process. Algeria will undoubtedly provide highly valuable and constructive contributions to the efforts for achieving stability in Libya. We, for our part, will carry on our struggle in order to put an end to the bloodshed in Libya.”
Prior to the joint press conference, the two leaders signed an agreement on the formation of Turkey-Algeria High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
“We will increase our trade volume with African countries to $50 billion”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at Turkey-Algeria Business Forum.
President Erdoğan began his remarks by thanking President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria and the Algerian authorities for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
“WE WILL FURTHER BOOST OUR COOPERATION WITH AFRICA”
Noting that the total trade volume between Turkey and African countries has risen by 381 percent in the last 27 years and reached $26 billion, President Erdoğan said: “Our export volume to this continent alone has reached $16 billion. Turkey’s net investment worth in this region has risen as far as $2 billion. The market value of these investments exceeds $6 billion. Back in 2015, there were 30 business councils between Turkey and African countries. This figure has risen to 45 in 2019. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), with its 22 program coordination offices, has been leading a new and original development model across the continent. Our flag carrier, the Turkish Airlines, runs flights from Istanbul to 58 locations in 38 African countries. As part of the Türkiye Scholarships programme, we provide education to 4 500 African students at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels. Inshallah, we will further boost our cooperation with the continent in the period ahead. We will work together shoulder to shoulder to increase our trade volume up to $50 billion.”
“ALGERIA IS ONE OF TURKEY’S STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN NORTH AFRICA”
“We see Algeria as a friendly and brotherly country as well as one of our strategic partners in North Africa. Algeria is one of Turkey’s most important gateways to the Maghreb and Africa,” President Erdoğan said.
“To Turkey, embracing the entire African continent, North Africa in particular, has a meaning beyond economic and commercial interests. Our country’s approach towards these lands has never been a product of a desire for unilateral gain. We want to produce together, advance together and grow richer together,” President Erdoğan said.
“We have decided to increase our bilateral trade volume to $5 billion as soon as possible. Also, with the joint declaration we signed, we have established a high-level cooperation council between our two countries,” President Erdoğan noted.
Underlining the need for a free trade agreement between Turkey and Algeria, President Erdoğan said: “I believe it would be felicitous to begin negotiations for a free trade agreement to further deepen our economic relations.”
Highlighting Turkey’s significant progress in defense industry, President Erdoğan voiced Turkey’s desire to further cooperation with Algeria in defense industry.
27 JANUARY 2020) THE GAMBIA VISIT
President Erdoğan was welcomed by President Barrow at Banjul International Airport with an official ceremony. After the national anthems of the two countries were played, the two presidents inspected the guard of honor and introduced their delegations to one another.Accompanying President Erdoğan in The Gambia are First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank and Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan.
First Lady Erdoğan inaugurates mosque and school, renovated by TIKA, in the Gambia
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, First Lady Erdoğan said: “I am happy to inaugurate this beautiful mosque and school, renovated by TIKA, Turkey’s friendly hand. I thank all who contributed to the project. I wholeheartedly believe that the seeds we plant today will flourish for the Gambia’s future.”
“TURKISH PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS FRIENDS OF BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN PEOPLE”
“We, as the Turkish people and state, are always friends of the beautiful African people. The bridges of brotherhood we have established bring us together around the common ground of humanity. The 21st century can be very different for Africa. We all have a lot to do for that. The first step to this end is education. Inshallah, Africa will rise from its ashes and rebuild itself with its natural richness, cultural background and special people,” Mrs. Erdoğan said.
Following the ceremony, Mrs. Erdoğan and First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow of the Gambia toured the classrooms and then paid a visit to the Türkiye Maarif Foundation School.
“We work to improve our economic relations with Africa on a basis that will benefit both sides”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Adama Barrow of The Gambia held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations.
“GAMBIA IS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO STOP FETO’S ACTIVITIES”
Stating that bilateral relations were addressed during the talks, President Erdoğan, underscoring that The Gambia is the first country to stop Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)’s activities it carried out under the guise of an educational institution, said: “This determined step of The Gambia has set an example for other African countries in the fight against FETO. And, we, for our part, have not allowed our Gambian children to suffer any loss. Türkiye Maarif Foundation’s school in Banjul operates successfully. I believe the Foundation will continue to raise more qualified students in their new building to be inaugurated today. In addition to this, we have provided university education to 170 Gambian students in our country with Türkiye Scholarships.”
“OUR INVESTORS FOCUS ON PROJECTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT”
Touching upon Turkey’s economic relations with Africa, President Erdoğan noted: “As Turkey, we work to improve our economic relations with Africa on a basis that will benefit both sides.” “Beyond selling goods, our investors focus on projects that generate jobs and contribute to the development and strengthening of Africa. Turkish companies will make investments, each of which will be shown as an example, in The Gambia, particularly in such sectors as tourism, agriculture, energy, construction, defense and technology. The best reference for The Gambia is the prestigious projects our companies have carried out successfully in neighboring countries. I believe the Gambian government will let our contractors assume more responsibilities in the new Gambian vision,” the President said.
“WE HOPE THAT PEACE WILL BE RESTORED IN LIBYA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”
Answering reporters’ questions following the conference, President Erdoğan, in response to a question regarding the situation in Libya, drew attention to the Libya Summit held in Berlin, and said that although an agreement was reached there, the Haftar forces continued their attacks. Pointing out that Fayez Al Sarraj, Chairman of the Presidential Council of Government of National Accord of Libya, is a leader recognized by the United Nations Security Council, President Erdoğan voiced his hope that peace will be restored in Libya as soon as possible.
After the joint press conference, the First Couple attended a dinner hosted in their honor by President Barrow of The Gambia.
28 JANUARY 2020) SENEGAL VISIT
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is in Dakar to pay an official visit at the invitation of President Macky Sall of Senegal.
President Erdoğan was welcomed by First Lady Marieme Faye Sall and Prime Minister Mahammad Boun Abdallah Dionne of Senegal at Blaise Diagne International Airport.
Accompanying President Erdoğan in Senegal are First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank and Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan.
News Date: 28 / 01 / 2020
News Comments: 0
