Erdogan goes for five day Africa expendition

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is beginning a tour of Africa including Gabon, Niger and Senegal tomorrow. During the visit which will take place between January 6 and 11, Turkish businessmen will join business forums in three countries and some cooperation agreements will be signed. Turkey's relations with African countries which has remained in the background for many years has gained importance during the 2000s as Turkey has become more active in her foreign policy. Turkey's African opening is built on the understanding that "this region which suffered a lot will now become a continent of development, sharing and cultural richness instead of colonialism, hunger and poverty". Prime Minister Erdogan is going to three African countries for the first foreign visit of 2013. Erdogan will meet state and government leaders in Gabon, Niger and Senegal. Agreements on cooperation in the fields of agriculture, transportation, industry and energy will be signed within the framework of the visit. Delegation of businessmen who are member of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) will also join the visit and participate in business forums.