Joint Statement Issued Following Quadrilateral Summit On Africa

A joint statement on the meeting of the presidents of Turkey, Togo, Burkina Faso and Liberia was published Tuesday emphasizing the determination to fight terrorism without any discrimination between terrorist organizations including Daesh/ISIS, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), al-Qaeda and Boko Haram.

As part of his African tour, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe, Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and Liberian President George Weah in the capital Lome on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the four presidents exchanged views on issues of common interest related to challenges arising from the security, health, climate and development environment as well as cooperation between Turkey and African countries.

The leaders called on the international community for greater solidarity, commitment and support to allow African countries to intensify their efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic while avoiding the risk of the emergence of new variants. Developed countries were invited to fulfill their promises especially on the issue of access to vaccines.

Addressing the security issue, the four presidents underlined that terrorism poses the greatest threat to peace and stability in Africa and the world.

They reaffirmed their determination to fight terrorism, without making any distinction between terrorist organizations including Daesh/ISIS, FETO, al-Qaeda and Boko Haram. In this context, FETO was included in an international declaration as a terrorist organization.

The leaders strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad and expressed their solidarity with the countries and their peoples.

-Turkish economy

The presidents emphasized the need to take decisive steps to combat global piracy, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.

President Erdogan reaffirmed his resolute commitment to peace and stability in Africa and Turkey's commitment to its troops deployed on the continent under UN missions.

The Turkish leader reminded that his country's presence in Africa is not only based on mutually beneficial economic and commercial goals but also includes the need for Africa's development through technical assistance on the basis of multi-sectoral projects.

As part of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and World Leaders Summit in Glasgow, the four presidents called on industrialized countries to increase and implement their commitment and action by significantly contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as the promotion of renewable energy.

On cooperation, the leaders acknowledged the remarkable progress and strength of the Turkish economy, which has justified Turkey's role as a strategic partner for Africa and made it an important actor on the international stage.

Emphasis on increasing commercial and cultural ties

The presidents noted that the volume of trade in Africa has more than tripled in 10 years of cooperation, despite the obstacles due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They also emphasized that despite the pandemic, growth prospects in Africa are promising, adding all of these contribute to strengthening the partnership with Turkey and making it more equitable and resilient in the current context.

Erdogan reaffirmed his determination to increase and develop political, economic, commercial and cultural relations with African countries.

In order to achieve these goals, he emphasized Turkey's desire to make Africa a preferred investment partner, with a presence in most countries to support and strengthen peace and stability, economic ties, and create opportunities for trade and industry.

The heads of state welcomed the third edition of the Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum and the Third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, which will be held in Istanbul on Oct. 21-22 and Dec. 17-18, 2021, respectively, for a fairer world together. Thus, President Erdogan's message of "a fairer world together" was also included in an international statement.

The Lome meeting took place in an atmosphere of brotherhood and perfect understanding, and the four presidents agreed to strengthen the channels of communication between their countries to exchange views more frequently.

The presidents of Burkina Faso, Liberia and Turkey expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude to Faure Gnassingbe, the government and the people of Togo for the warm and fraternal welcome given to them and their delegations.

The statement was signed in Lome.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan -