“With its location at the intersection of three continents, Türkiye’s doors are wide open to all investors and entrepreneurs”

 

Addressing the 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum, President Erdoğan said: “With its rapidly growing economy and rapidly improving investment climate as well as its location right at the intersection of three continents, Türkiye’s doors are wide open to all investors and entrepreneurs from across the world. Relevant institutions and ministries of our state, as well as the Investment and Finance Office, affiliated with the Presidency, stand ready to provide the necessary support to anyone wishing to invest in our country with their minds at peace.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul.

“With its rapidly growing economy and rapidly improving investment climate as well as its location right at the intersection of three continents, Türkiye’s doors are wide open to all investors and entrepreneurs from across the world. Relevant institutions and ministries of our state, as well as the Investment and Finance Office, affiliated with the Presidency, stand ready to provide the necessary support to anyone wishing to invest in our country with their minds at peace,” President Erdoğan said.

“TÜRKİYE HAS BUILT ITS RELATIONS WITH AFRICA ON THE VISION OF A LONG-TERM AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”

Noting that Türkiye, declaring 2005 the Year of Africa, turned a new leaf in its relations with the continent, President Erdoğan stated: “In the 20 years since, we, shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand, and most importantly, heart to heart, have raised our relations to an unimaginable level. We are extremely pleased since our relations have reached the strategic partnership level through our joint efforts. This year, we are also marking the 20th year of our country’s observer status at the African Union. Next year, we will hold the 4th Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit. I believe that this important summit, for which we have already launched the preparations, will become yet another symbol of our efforts aimed at the development and prosperity of the continent.”

Stressing that Türkiye has built its relations with Africa on the vision of a long-term and sustainable future, President Erdoğan said: “As a country, we have never been disgraced by the stain of colonialism in any period of history, praise be to Allah. Wherever we have gone to throughout centuries, we have taken there peace, tranquility, compassion, respect, prosperity and stability alongside us. Our good faith, sincerity and spotless reputation have helped us further deepen and strengthen our relations with the continent each passing day. We have increased the number of our embassies in the continent to 44. Our target for the short term is 50. Currently, embassies of 38 African countries are operational in Ankara. Particularly the extraordinary momentum we have achieved in trade and investments contribute to the prosperity of our both Türkiye and African nations.”

“WE ARE ONE OF THE TOP SUPPORTERS OF THE AFRICAN UNION’S PEACE EFFORTS”

President Erdoğan continued: “We are one of the top supporters of the African Union’s peace efforts. An example of this support is our mediation in the settlement of the Somalia-Ethiopia dispute as part of the Ankara process. Ongoing conflicts in Sudan deeply wound us just like you. We hope that ceasefire may first be reached in the country, and then a lasting peace may be established through dialogue. The humanitarian tragedy in Sudan has already reached the proportions of a disaster. Our Sudanese brothers and sisters are being killed not only by bullets and bombs but, unfortunately, also by hunger and lack of water. We regret to see that the international community and institutions do not give due prominence to the tragedy in Sudan. As Türkiye, we deliver aid to the brotherly Sudan, as we do for every conflict zone.”

Stressing that 68 thousand Palestinians have been martyred and over 170 thousand others wounded in over two years of Israeli attacks, President Erdoğan said: “A genocide has been perpetrated before the whole world’s eyes for two years. The so-called civilized world has failed to take adequate action or prevent it. What is more alarming is that the Western states, who keep lecturing us and our African brothers and sisters about democracy, continued their weapons aid to Israel as the genocide was underway.”

“IN THE GAZA GENOCIDE, OUR AFRICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS DISPLAYED A TRULY CONSCIENTIOUS STANCE”

President Erdoğan continued: “I take great pleasure in noting that in the Gaza genocide, our African brothers and sisters, just like Türkiye and the Turkish nation, displayed a truly conscientious stance. The genocide case against Israel lodged with the International Court of Justice by the Republic of South Africa has gone down in history as a courageous step. I once again wholeheartedly thank the peoples of Africa who have not abandoned the oppressed in Gaza. 

Recalling the quadripartite Sharm el-Sheikh declaration signed on Monday for ceasefire in Gaza, President Erdoğan added: “We are engaged in intensive efforts to make sure that the agreement between Hamas and Israel becomes permanent and lays the groundwork for lasting peace. However, given Israel’s poor track record, we continue to act with caution and vigilance. Gaza needs to heal its wounds and get back on its feet rapidly. We will continue to do whatever is necessary in this regard. I particularly ask you to increasingly continue your solidarity with the Palestinian people.”