Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran emphasised Türkiye’s rising diplomatic and financial footprint in Africa in the course of the latest Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), mentioning the robust illustration from the continent on the gathering that introduced collectively quite a few diplomats, consultants and journalists within the in style resort.
Organized below the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the discussion board introduced collectively greater than 6,000 contributors from 155 international locations, together with heads of state, ministers, diplomats, lecturers, NGOs and media representatives.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Duran highlighted the discussion board’s inclusive nature.
“In this respect, the diplomacy forum we organized under the auspices of our president and led by our Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has this special feature: It gave a voice to people who may not be sufficiently visible or heard on various platforms and forums around the world,” he stated.
More than 230 bilateral conferences had been held in the course of the three-day occasion, addressing main international points corresponding to Gaza, Ukraine, U.S.-China-Russia relations, commerce wars and European safety.
Focusing on Africa’s robust illustration, Duran famous the participation of 82 high-level African officers.
“With 82 high-level participants, Africa once again made a very significant contribution to this year’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum,” he stated.
Duran emphasised Türkiye’s “win-win” mannequin of engagement with Africa, constructed on equal partnerships and mutual respect.
“Türkiye is a reliable actor in Africa. When we ask, ‘What is the main reason for this?’ – it’s that we build relationships on equal footing. We don’t come from a colonial past. Therefore, we’re involved in efforts that contribute to African countries, and because they see this, they trust Türkiye,” stated the deputy overseas minister.
Türkiye’s commerce quantity with Africa has elevated tenfold in recent times, rising from $3.6 billion to $36 billion. Turkish investments on the continent have surpassed $92 billion.
Duran credited this development to a broad community of nationwide establishments, together with Turkish Airlines (THY), the Turkish Maarif Foundation, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE).
In addition to financial cooperation, Duran outlined Türkiye’s contributions to safety and stability in Africa by means of protection business partnerships and counterterrorism assist.
He highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing mediation efforts, referencing the 2024 Ankara Declaration signed between Somalia and Ethiopia and a collection of deliberate follow-up talks.
Reflecting on the discussion board’s broader objectives, Duran concluded: “It was very important to provide a platform where the world’s problems could be discussed more effectively, to open this up to everyone and to enable people to come together and embrace diplomacy – rather than conflict or war.”
Western international locations, he stated, had been intently watching the discussion board.
“I believe all the messages intended for them were delivered by the participants and received accordingly.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com