President Erdogan vows to enhance ties with Africa

By Cigdem Alyanak, Kenan Irtak, and Hatice Senses Kurukiz

ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday vowed to enhance bilateral ties with African countries prior to his official five-day tour of African countries.

Speaking at a news conference at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Erdogan said Turkey considers Algeria a powerful trade ally.

“We would like to cement our relations in several fields, including the military, defense industry and cultural areas, based on friendship and cooperation,” he said.

The Jerusalem, Syria and Libya issues will be discussed during the visit, he added.

The president is expected to hold talks with his counterparts in Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali during one-on-one and inter-delegation meetings.

Erdogan said security issues would also top the agenda during the meetings.

Fighting FETO

He also praised African countries for taking steps against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey which martyred 250 people.

“Thanks to our efforts, many countries have now shut down FETO-affiliated schools and handed them over to the Maarif Foundation,” he said, speaking of schools which have served as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.

He also said Turkey wants to further enhance its close relations with Senegal, and a new project would be initiated to boost trade and economic relations between the two countries.

He said Turkey wants to revive its centuries-old ties with Mali.

Erdogan left Turkey after a press conference and arrived at Algeria’s Houari Boumediene Airport Monday evening.

He was welcomed with an official ceremony by Abdelkader Bensalah, Algeria’s president of the Council of the Nation.

Following the ceremony, Erdogan left a wreath at the monument of martyrs.

Erdogan also received Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia at the Sheraton Hotel for a closed-door meeting.

Erdogan’s tour will mark the second Turkish presidential trip to Algeria, as well as the first such visits to Mauritania and Mali.

After Algeria, Erdogan will head to Mauritania on Feb. 28, followed by Senegal and Mali.

Last December, Erdogan paid a four-day visit to Sudan, Chad, and Tunisia.

Since 2004, Erdogan has paid official visits to 24 African countries and witnessed the signing of numerous bilateral pacts.

* Enes Kaplan in Algiers contributed to this story