President Erdoğan: We want to advance our relations with Africa on the basis of win-win and equal partnership
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference before leaving for Luanda, first stop of his three-country trip to Africa which includes Angola, Togo and Nigeria.
Stating that representatives of the business world as well as several ministers and deputies would accompany him during his visit to Africa, President Erdoğan said: “Including my term as the Prime Minister, I have thus far paid 38 visits to 28 African countries. Also, we have hosted in Turkey heads of state and government of African countries, most of whom were for the first time. This visit of ours is particularly important since Angola and Togo visits will be the first Presidential visits from Turkey to these countries.”
“TURKEY STANDS OUT AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES”
Underscoring that Turkey continued to make its relations with Africa much closer in every area, President Erdoğan noted: “Turkey, with its diplomatic network expanding each passing day in the continent and a trade volume of over $25 billion as of the end of 2020, stands out as a strategic partner for African countries. The works of such Turkish organizations as Maarif Foundation schools, Yunus Emre Cultural Centers, the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency are strengthening the bridge of affection between us and our African brothers and sisters.”
“WE DESIRE TO WALK AND WIN WITH OUR AFRICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS”
President Erdoğan said: “Believing that Africa will have a determining role in the 21st century, we want to advance our relations with the continent on the basis of win-win and equal partnership. As I always say, we never approach our cooperation with African countries from a short-term and interest-oriented perspective. We are not one of those who seek to maintain their old colonial orders through new ways and methods. We desire to walk and win with our African brothers and sisters. I hope my visits will be auspicious in this respect.”
“WE ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO DIALOGUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE ISSUE”
Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in response to a question regarding a recent report that Turkey to procure 40 F-16s from the U.S., underlined that it was actually related to the issue of the F-35s, and said: “We have paid $1.4 billion for the F-35s. The U.S. had made such an offer to us in exchange for that payment. And our opinion is that we should do whatever it takes to meet our country’s defense needs. Also, we maintain our works to modernize and keep ready our fleet of fighter jets at the current conjuncture. We strive to further expand our fleet whether by modernizing our F-16s in hand or procuring new F-16s. And we have to get a refund, so to speak, for the money we have paid within the F-35 programme. We raise this issue during our talks and we attach importance to dialogue for the resolution of the issue. These talks are still being held, by the Ministry of National Defense in particular. After all, a payment has been made and our officials are carrying out necessary works for the refund of this payment.”
“THE GLOBAL HEALTH IS UNDER THREAT”
Responding to a question about the lack of coronavirus vaccine in poor countries, President Erdoğan said: “Least developed countries and poor societies have unfortunately been left to their fate. But, we as Turkey cannot deal with this issue in this manner due to the understanding that comes from our own values. Therefore, we will continue to provide every kind of support we can give, as we have done thus far. Obviously, it is a fact that until the pandemic is completely removed from the world, no country is safe alone and the global health is under threat.”
Further stressing that the TURKOVAC vaccine would be released shortly, President Erdoğan said that after completing the volunteering process, Turkey would work to provide any support anywhere regarding the vaccine issue without raising any obstacles.
