Erdogan: "We are in Niger to show how to fight fot freedom"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a Turkish-Nigerien Business Forum in Niger's capital, Niamey, the second stop of his three-nation African tour. Speaking at the joint Business Forum, which was also attended by Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, Erdogan said the reason why Turkish delegates are in Niger today is to show how to fight for freedom. "We do not aim to take this country's oil, gold and diamonds, but to show how we can build brotherhood, make an effort to advance development and fight for freedom of a colonial logic that has endured here for centuries," Erdogan said. Pointing to the fact that Turkey has become Europe's sixth and the world's 17th biggest economy, Erdogan said Turkey wants to share this achievement with Niger. Erdogan reiterated that Turkey has 31 embassies in Africa, calling for the establishment of a joint economic commission between the two countries to adjust economic ties. Bilateral trade figures between the two countries reached $39 million in 2012. Turkish and Nigerien governments also inked five cooperation agreements yesterday. The deals include economic, trade and technical cooperation, supply of potable water and sanitation, forestry and removal of visas for diplomatic passports.