President Gül pointed out that his trip this week to Congo and Cameroon, upon the invitations of DR Congo President Joseph Kabila and Cameroon President Paul Biya, is the first presidential-level visit between Turkey and the two countries.
Many ministers, deputies, representatives of professional and civil society organizations, university professors, media and business groups will accompany him during his visit. Exactly a year ago, President Gül visited Kenya and Tanzania. Noting that 60 percent of the agenda of the United Nations Security Council consists of issues related to Africa, Gül said they have started to work closely with African countries during Turkey’s time on the Security Council.
Stating that Security Council decisions concern millions of people in Africa, Gül said that it is necessary to take their opinion into consideration. “That is the reason why this visit is important. We go there to listen to and understand them and learn their thoughts,” Gül said. Noting that they received the votes of almost all African countries in the Security Council nonpermanent member elections, Gül said Africa has already become Turkey’s strategic partner.
Turkey’s trade volume with Africa was only $5 billion in 2003, but rose to $15 billion in 2009. “Our target is to increase trade between Turkey and African countries to $30 billion in the shortest possible time,” Gül said. Gül also added that Turkey could cooperate with the two countries he’s visiting on construction, mining, energy, tourism and agriculture.
