President of Turkey Erdoğan in South Africa
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the opening ceremony of the new building of Turkey’s embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, on Thursday.
“Turkey has been working to strengthen its international diplomacy recently. Especially in Africa, we would like to increase the number of embassies. Turkish embassies in the African continent have increased from 12 to 41 during the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s rule. Turkey’s biggest diplomatic mission is in Somalia,” Erdoğan said.
“The efforts of businessmen and nongovernmental organizations to bolster Turkey’s ties with South Africa is indisputable. This ensured both countries to get better acquainted with one another and bolster our cooperation,” he added.
In South Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday are set to have their second face-to-face meeting this year.Erdoğan and Putin will have a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the annual summit of BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- hosted in Johannesburg.The main topic of the meeting will be Syria. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on the upcoming Tehran summit as part of the Astana process on Syria.Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summitSpeaking at a news conference in Turkey on Wednesday before flying to Johannesburg, Erdoğan said: "Developments in Syria, whether in Tal Rifaat or Manbij, are not going as desired.“The only places that are going the desired way are Afrin, Jarabulus, and Al-Bab."Erdoğan added that issues in Idlib and Daraa will also be addressed during his meeting with Putin. "Anything can happen in these places, at any time."Turkish president to visit Zambia on July 28The leaders’ first face-to-face meeting this year was in early April in Ankara, where they took part in the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant's groundbreaking ceremony via video conferencing.They also attended a tripartite summit on Syria with Turkey and Iran.This year Erdoğan and Putin have also spoken on the phone 16 times to discuss regional issues, particularly Syria, as well as bilateral relations.
Erdoğan, Putin to meet on BRICS summit sidelines
Erdoğan on Wednesday arrived in Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit. Erdoğan will meet the Turkish community in South Africa, as well as prominent businesspeople and opinion leaders of the Muslim community.
“Turkey ranks first in the world in helping the least developed countries with $8.2 billion. It is not enough for Turkey to be ranked as the world’s fifth in terms of diplomacy. As politicians, we will lead the way, however all our businessmen and diplomats must work together to actualize tenders and negotiations,” Erdoğan said.
“Daesh, FETÖ, PKK, Boko Haram and al-Shabaab terrorist organizations are all common enemies of humanity. FETÖ is the same as Daesh. We will discuss these matters with South African President Ramaphosa. Unfortunately, South Africa is one of the countries in which FETÖ is most active. Turkey won't allow the Fetullah Terrorist Organization to turn South Africa into a base,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday arrived in Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit.Erdoğan, who arrived at 9.55 p.m. local time (1955 GMT), was welcomed by South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Turkey's Ambassador to South Africa Elif Comoglu Ulgen at the OR Tambo International Airport.The BRICS regional bloc is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, countries that share over 20 percent of the global economy and contribute around 17 percent to international trade.Turkish president to visit Zambia on July 28The Turkish president is accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Treasury anf Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, and two lawmakers from Justice and Development (AK) Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).The 10th summit started on Wednesday and will end on Friday.Erdoğan’s attendance at the summit will serve as the first high-level contact between Turkey and the BRICS bloc.Turkish envoy hails strong relations with South AfricaOn the sidelines of the summit, Erdoğan will also hold bilateral talks with the leaders of all BRICS member states and other invited leaders.He will also meet Turkish community in South Africa, as well as prominent businesspeople and opinion leaders of Muslim community.Turkish president will also open the new building of Turkish Embassy.
Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
FETÖ is also behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Erdoğan was welcomed by South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Turkey's Ambassador to South Africa Elif Comoglu Ulgen at the OR Tambo International Airport.
Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit