Gul: "We will be Africa's voice on the UN security council"

An influential country like Turkey cannot concern itself only with its own problems, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday. Speaking to reporters on the last day of his African tour including Tanzania and Kenya, he said that influential countries should have relations with neighboring and other countries. Stating that Turkey promotes stability wherever it goes, he added, "African countries supported Turkey's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2009-10. Turkey has been the voice of Africa, and it will continue to do so." Gul also met with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete, followed by a meeting between Turkish and Tanzanian delegations.