ISTANBUL - Turkish government`s development assistance policy requires giving a priority to the African continent, State Minister Besir Atalay said Tuesday.
"Taking joint action with the international community and prioritizing Africa in extending Turkish assistance for development are two requirements of our government policy," Atalay told the 2nd International Turkish-African Congress on sub-Saharan issues.
"Through the course of history, Turkey`s relations with Africa have always stood on a principle of equity and away from policies of imperialism," Atalay said. "Today, Turkey`s relations with African countries are improving rapidly in every field."
Turkey`s historical ties with the continent dates back to the Ottoman times when the empire used to rule over vast territories in north Africa from Egypt to Algeria until late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Turkish Cooperation and Development Administration (TIKA), which executes and coordinates Turkey`s international development assistance, opened field offices in Ethiopia in 2005 and Sudan in 2006, and plans to open another in Senegal soon.
Turkey sent peacekeeping forces to Somalia in April 1993 as part of a United Nations` mission, UNOSOM II, and assumed the command of the mission until Jan. 1994.