Arinc hosts lunch in honor of president of Benin

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc yesterday hosted a lunch in the honor of Benin's President Boni Yayi. Arinc said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could not have attended the lunch due to his illness and that he was there on behalf of Erdogan. For his part, Yayi wished Erdogan a quick recovery and conveyed his regards. Stating that Turkey's vision about the African continent was welcomed, Yayi said, "Africa is now ready to strengthen its common richness with Turkey as part of both bilateral and international relations. Turkey is in the heart of Benin."