President Erdoğan: We have no stain of imperialism in our history
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in Angola for an official visit, addressed the Plenary Session at the National Assembly of Angola.
Drawing attention to the productive role of the 220 members of the National Assembly of Angola in the economic and humanitarian development of the country, President Erdoğan said: “We believe that the Angolan people, who have overcome many difficulties since achieving their independence on November 11, 1975, will build their bright future in unity and solidarity as well. We as Turkey will continue to stand by the friendly Angola on its journey to development.”
“WE HAVE NO STAIN OF IMPERIALISM IN OUR HISTORY”
President Erdoğan stated: “The continent of Africa, with which we have 1000-year-long historical ties, is one of the regions our country has the deepest-rooted relations with. Our nation’s relations with the African peoples date back to the 10th century. And the most important feature of our common history is that it is based on mutual respect, sincerity, cooperation and brotherhood. We are a nation that has no stain of imperialism or shame of colonialism in its history. What is more, we are a country that fought a century ago its Independence War, which we crowned with victory, against the imperialist powers of the era.
“WE REJECT WESTERN-CENTRIC ORIENTALIST APPROACHES TOWARDS AFRICA”
“Today, by saying ‘the World is bigger than five,’ we are putting up a struggle against the injustices in the global system,” the President stressed, and added: “We argue that the fate of the humanity cannot and should not be left to the mercy of a handful of countries that were the victors of the Second World War. It is impossible to think that the global security architecture will remain the same while the world is changing, almost every sphere of life is changing and diplomacy, trade, international relations are going through radical transformations. Ignoring the demands for change is an injustice to Africa and such strong countries of the continent as Angola. It is neither fair nor sustainable. We as Turkey reject Western-centric Orientalist approaches towards the continent of Africa. We see all the peoples in Africa as our friends, without any discrimination, and embrace all of them with affection.”
“ANGOLA IS A GREAT, STRONG AND DIGNIFIED COUNTRY”
President Erdoğan continued as follows: “Turkey is aware of the richness Africa has added to the entire world with its history, culture and people as well as of Africa’s enormous potential in every area. Also, Turkey is well aware that Angola is a great, strong and dignified country with its nearly 33 million population, dynamic economy, hard-working people and visionary political leadership. We never accept an equation in bilateral relations where one party always wins and the other loses, or one party is always the producer and the other consumer. Our aim is to win, develop, grow bigger and walk together.”
Later in the day President Erdoğan visited the Mausoleum of António Agostinho Neto, the first president of Angola.
