“We want to advance our relations with Africa on the basis of win-win and equal partnership”

Holding a press conference before departing for Luanda, 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."

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 21^st 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."