Turkey hopeful for African support in U.N. council seat

"African countries have a strong support for Turkey's candidacy. All the countries we met, once again reiterated their support," Gul told a press conference.

Gul said he held bilateral talks with the heads of delegations of 42 countries within the scope of the summit.Â

Turkey is one of three candidate countries, including Austria and Iceland, vying for a nonpermanent seat at the U.N. Security Council for the term of 2009-2010.  

Turkey needs the vote of 128 U.N. member countries from the total of 192, of which, 53 are from Africa.

The U.N. Security Council is composed of five permanent members - China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, and ten non-permanent members.

Ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms and are not eligible for immediate re-election.

Turkey held a seat on the Security Council in 1951-52, 1954-55 and 1961.

"Turkey's assistance to African countries' efforts for economic and social development has been welcomed by our African friends. Especially, Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency's (TIKA) activities were appreciated in Africa," Gul told the conference.

Turkey's humanitarian aid to African countries exceeded $12 billion.

The countries decided to organize the meeting of heads of state and government for the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit once every five years, Gul also told the conference. Gul said an African country would host the 2nd Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit in 2013.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told the conference he believed that almost all African countries would support Turkey's candidacy for a nonpermanent seat at the council.

He said African countries hoped that Turkey would continue its assistance to region in the future.

Turkey played an important role in political developments in the world and served as a bridge between the east and the west, as well as the north and the south, he added.

JOINT DECLARATION

The attending countries said in a joint declaration after the summit they were pleased to announce Turkey as "strategic partner" of the African Union, adding their satisfaction with Turkey's policy on launching initiatives in Africa.

The current cooperation between Turkey and African countries under the auspice of the U.N. was welcomed, the "Turkey-Africa Partnership Istanbul Declaration" said.

The declaration said African countries and Turkey were determined to boost peace, security and cooperation by complying with the principles of international law, democracy, human rights and social justice.

"Some of the principles which would guide the Turkey-Africa Partnership are as follows: International conflicts should be solved through peaceful means, cooperation in the fighting against terrorism should be boosted and the Turkish-African partnership should be improved," the declaration said.

Photo: AA