ID :
151718
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 22:37
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PM ERDOGAN SAYS AFRICA NEEDS TRADE, INVESTMENT, COOPERATION MORE THAN ASSISTANCE


TRABLUSGARP (A.A) - 29.11.2010 - In his address to EU-Africa summit held Monday in Libya, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that African countries need trade, investment, technical and scientific cooperation more than assistance. 
In his speech, Erdogan, the guest of honor at the summit meeting, said Turkey was exerting sincere efforts to help resolve problems of Africa and explained Turkey's plan to expand to this continent which aims at adding momentum to political, military, cultural and economic relations with African countries.
Turkey set out a new strategy in 2003 to improve relations with the continent and declared 2005 as the "Year of Africa in Turkey." Turkey became a strategic partner of the African Union in 2008.
Over the past few years, Turkey has ramped up efforts to increase the number of its embassies across the continent. It aims to reach 30 embassies by the end of 2011.
"Of course, our interest in Africa is not limited to economic and commercial targets. We are carrying out an integrated policy of cooperation in agricultural development, irrigation, energy and education, as well as fight against diseases," Erdogan told the meeting.
Touching on Sudan, Erdogan said the country was going through a critical period and wished a peaceful referendum, a result of 2005 peace deal to end decades of civil war between the north and the oil-rich south in which some 1.5 million people died. Southern Sudan will hold a referendum in January on whether or not it should remain as a part of Sudan.
Erdogan also said that settlement of the problem in Somalia, which he described as one of the biggest problems of the continent, was of vital importance for the whole region. 
"We are resolute to continue efforts to restore peace, stability and prosperity in Somalia," he said.
Following the summit meeting, Erdogan met with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi over a lunch.

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