President Erdoğan says his visit to Africa will bring a new dimension to Turkey’s relations with the continent
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the future lies in Africa and divulged projects that aim to improve bilateral relations with Sudan and Chad, answering reporters’ questions during his flight from Chad to Tunisia.
Erdoğan stated Turkey and Sudan are determined to boost bilateral trade relations, adding that Sudan proposed to establish a Turkey-Sudan University.
“A plot of 12,500 hectares was offered to the the Turkish General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) in Sudan. This will be a significant step to initiate agricultural activities. A Turkish company will undertake the construction of the international airport in Khartoum. Although stockbreeding is advanced in Sudan, their technology in agriculture is not very advanced. I believe that we will make further progress with our joint efforts with TİGEM,” he said.
Sudan agreed to hand over the port city Suakin temporarily to Turkey for restoration. Erdoğan noted that a few remaining properties belonged to certain individuals, and if Sudan managed to purchase them, the island will be allocated to Turkey.
If this situation is solved, then Suakin will be restored by Turkey with the joint efforts of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Directorate (TİKA) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the president stated.
“If these are realized, a huge step can be taken in package tourism. It will be possible to carry out umrah [a Muslim holy pilgrimage] visits from Turkey via Suakin Island, by flying here and crossing over by sea. History will be revived,” said Erdoğan.
Regarding the allegation that the project for Suakin Island includes a military port, Turkish president denied the claims and added: “There is already a port [in Suakin]. We only want to rejuvenate the island.”
Appreciating Sudan and Chad’s firm stance regarding the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the president said that his visit will bring a new dimension to Turkey’s relations with Africa.
“We see that the future is in Africa. We cannot put this future aside, we cannot miss it. We didn’t come here with colonial plans. Our history does not have any trace of imperialism. Our sole aim, which I also told the Chadian President, is to ensure that Africa can stand on its own two feet.”
Erdoğan said that Turkey requested a plot from Chad for an embassy, which will serve as a project example to present to Africa. The complex will include a Turkish Cultural Center, a wellness center for women, a health center, a trade center, TİKA’s lodging building and a building of the Islamic Council, he pointed out.
Erdoğan said that a Faculty of Agriculture will also be built in the complex upon the request of the Chadian authorities.
“The name of the complex will be “D’JNamena Turkish Cultural Complex. This will be an exemplary project in Africa,” he noted.
On Turkey’s leading efforts in the issue of Jerusalem, the president said that the step taken in Istanbul on Dec. 13, referring to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit held in Istanbul, was a significant beginning.
Noting that further steps must be taken, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of the recognition of Palestine as a state.
“If certain states recognize Palestine, a great amount of the European Union members might immediately recognize the country as a state,” he added.
On Dec. 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking angry demonstrations in many Muslim countries and worldwide condemnation.
Trump’s decision was then rejected by the UN General Assembly with 128 votes condemning the move.
Jerusalem is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, as it includes sites known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary), al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the rock, as well as an ancient Jewish temple.
President Erdoğan visited Sudan, Chad and Tunisia in his North African tour aiming to boost relations with the continent.
