ISTANBUL - Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted a luncheon on Tuesday in the honor of African heads of state and government who have been participating in an Istanbul summit for cooperation between Turkey and African countries.
Speaking at the luncheon, Erdogan condemned a terrorist attack on a police academy compound in Algeria which killed at least 40 people.
"I strongly condemn this attack and extend my condolences. You should believe that when Africa grieves, Turkey grieves; when Africa is happy, Turkey is happy as a whole nation," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said his government had taken important steps to strengthen relations with African countries and that Turkey declared 2005 as Africa Year in the country.
Erdogan said Turkey's Cooperation and Development Agency opened offices in 2006 and 2007 respectively in Sudan and Senegal, adding that Turkey would soon open embassies in 15 African countries.
Erdogan also said Turkey aimed to increase trade volume between Turkey and Africa to 30 billion USD from a current 20 billion USD.
Also speaking at the luncheon, Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi said he welcomed Turkey's efforts to strengthen its relations with African countries, adding that African countries would ratify Istanbul Declaration and a related framework document.
(YMB-AÖ)
(GEN)