CAPE TOWN - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on a groundbreaking tour of South Africa, Friday said the continent's economic powerhouse would play a key role in Ankara's drive to seek markets in Africa.
Erdogan, the first Turkish prime minister to visit South Africa, said his country could in return serve as a gateway for South Africa to gain greater access to the markets of the Balkan, Central Asian, Caucasian, and Middle Eastern countries.
"This (South Africa) is the most important country in our process of opening to Africa," Erdogan told businessmen at a function in Cape Town.
The Turkish leader, who met with South African President Thabo Mbeki earlier in the day, said the two countries had signed three agreements including one on economic and trade cooperation.
"In our opinion, the conditions are ripe for us to conclude a Free Trade Agreement, which will complement this existing legal framework," said Erdogan.
Turning to the European Union, he said he was hopeful that his country's accession negotiations with the European Union in October would boost its economy.
"The accession negotiations with the European Union scheduled to start towards the end of this year are expected to speed up the already positive developments in the Turkish economy," said Erdogan.
"Turkey has fulfilled all the political criteria wanted by the EU before they could start negotiations with us," he added.
Turkey and South Africa have steadily improved economic ties, boosting trade volume from 182.5 million dollars in 1999 to 448 million dollars in 2003, despite high tariffs and taxes in the African nation.
There are nearly 40 Turkish firms registered in South Africa with total investments of some 60 million dollars, while there is only one South African firm doing business in Turkey.
Turkish officials believe there is more room for progress and see a chance for Turkish construction firms to take part in infrastructure projects in South Africa.
03/04/2005 15:43 GMT