President Gul meets with African ambassadors and diplomats

President Abdullah Gul yesterday received ambassadors and senior diplomats from 36 African countries at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. During the meeting, Gul said, "Africa has big problems. Africa's problems are the problems of humanity. And as needed, we respond to those problems without any expectations in return." Stating that Turkey's successful bid last year for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council got considerable support from African countries, Gul said Turkey would be Africa's voice on the council. President Gul hosted the first Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit last August in Istanbul with representatives from 50 African countries. In related news, the Foreign Ministry also hosted ambassadors of African countries yesterday at a meeting as part of Turkey's UN Security Council membership for 2009-2010. Afterwards, a ministry statement said Turkey, acting under the principles and goals of the UN Charter, is making comprehensive efforts to restore international peace and security as part of its mission as a UN Security Council member. "Turkey places special importance on matters related to Africa within the framework of Turkish-African strategic cooperation," it added.