MICHUZI BLOG

TURKISH ENVOY TO TANZANIA , H.E. ALİ DAVUTOĞLU SPEAKS ON TURKISH AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP IN REFERENCE TO AN ONGOING SUMMIT THE  SECOND TURKEY - AFRICA PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT ONGOING IN MALABO, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, ON 19-21 NOVEMBER 2014.

Africa is now in an impressive surge of growth, urbanization and modernization. The natural and human resources are abundant and diverse. One can easily see Africa re-emerging with many promising developments. Africa has an average annual growth rate of 5 percent over the last decade and is expected to continue this trend in the coming years. 6 out of 10 fastest growing economies in the world are in now Africa.

In terms of Turkish Foreign policy Relations with Africa constitutes one of the prime orientations of Turkish foreign policy, which is not based temporary political and economic considerations. On the contrary, it is the process of strong historical and cultural ties that we have with Africa.Following a multi-faceted policy in Africa, establishing close political relations and intensifying bilateral high level visits. Also economic field is another area that we help African nations overcome their challenges through more trade, investment, technical and humanitarian assistance.

Turkey is doing its level best to contribute through diplomacy to the peaceful settlement of conflicts and disputes in Africa. Therefore, we do not consider ourselves as outsiders to the continent, rather a strategic partner. Turkey-Africa relations have gained a substantial momentum since the declaration of Turkey as a strategic partner of the Continent by the African Union in January 2008. Turkey-Africa relations have gained a substantial momentum since then. For example, in the year of 2009 there were only 12 Turkish Embassies in Africa. There is now 39. It is not one sided. We see, today, a growing number of African Embassies in Ankara. It reached 30 while it was merely around 10 five years ago.

For Turkey it is not just about diplomatic representation and developing political relations. People-to-people contacts have intensified tremendously as a result of direct flights between Turkey and African countries as well as ever growing numbers of students, business people and tourists travelling both ways. Turkish Airlines has become major international airline connecting the continent to the world with a total number of flights to over 40 destinations in 28 African countries. 

Direct flights of Turkish Airlines had an immense effect on bilateral trade volume reaching 23,4 billion USD in 2013 with all Africa. It is 7,5 billion USD with Sub-Saharan Africa. When we compare the figures in 2000 which was about 750 million USD and those of 2013, we see an increase of almost tenfold. When people get to know more about each other, they stand ready to deepen their relations. More than 200 thousand people travel mutually between Turkey and the African countries for business, tourism and cultural purposes. Turkey provides around 500 scholarships annually for students from Africa.

Besides, Turkey has become a leading country in humanitarian activities all over the continent. Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has a central role in organizing and funding humanitarian projects that many people can benefit. TİKA currently operates 11 Program Coordination Offices in Africa and the number is expected to increase.

After the first Summit in Istanbul in 2008, Second Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit will be held on 19-21 November 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. We preferred to name it as Partnership Summit not just because we want to further develop our relations with Africa, but also we want to surpass what we achieved after the First Summit. That’s why the theme of the Summit is called “a new model of partnership to enhance a sustainable development and integration of Africa”.