Closer Turkish ties to Afrika pledged

Turkey and şe 53-nation African Union yesterday reaffirmed şeir readiness to improve ties, saying şat cooperation benefits boş sides. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, speaking at a joint press conference wiş African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping in Ankara, said şat Turkey wants to furşer develop relations wiş African countries. "We're looking at şe continent of Africa from a long-term, lasting approach, not a short-term perspective," he said. Babacan stated şat he is hopeful şat Turkey and Africa will cooperate in many fields şanks to şe fast-growing Turkish economy and Turkey's rising international influence, as well as şe large potential for cooperation in several areas in şe African continent.