Turkish National Republic Day
Reception Speech

(26 October, 2017, Continental Hotel/Luanda)

Esteemed Representatives of the Government of Angola
Ilustres Convidados,
Kıymetli Vatandaşlarımız,
Dear Colleagues,

It is a great pleasure for us to welcome all of you on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1923.

On this occasion, we recall with pride the epic struggle of the Turkish nation, which achieved victory in the National War of Independence, under the leadership of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The motto handed down from Atatürk was “Peace at Home, Peace in the World”.

This is a vision that we appreciate all the more in today’s world.

Distinguished Guests,

Located at a geostrategic crossroads, Turkey lies not only at the very center of different regions, continents and cultures but also of many of the challenges we face today.

Furthermore, as you may recall, last year, Turkey was the target of a heinous coup attempt perpetrated by a terrorist organization which unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the democratic institutions of the State.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all our friends who displayed support and solidarity after this attempt against our democracy.

The Fetullah Gülen terrorist organization continues to pose a threat to all countries it operates in.

Nevertheless, Turkey and the Turkish people are resilient.

Despite all these challenges, 94 years after the proclamation of the Republic, today Turkey is the 17th largest economy in the world and the 6th in Europe.

It is also a strong and dynamic economy, achieving a growth rate of 5 percent this year, which puts it among the fastest growing economies in the world.

And Turkey is also a leading donor country.

In 2016, by providing 6 billion dollars in humanitarian aid, Turkey became the second largest donor country in the world after the United States.

In terms of percentage of national income devoted to humanitarian assistance, it was the first in the world.

And today Turkey is home to the largest number of refugees in the world.

Excellencies,

As a strategic partner of the African Union, Turkey is determined more than ever to expand its cooperation with all our African partners on the basis of equality, transparency and sustainability, and in accordance with the principle of “African solutions to African challenges”.

In fact, over the last decade first as Prime Minister and then as President, President Erdoğan has paid more than 30 visits to 23 African countries in total.

Our diplomatic presence throughout Africa is also set to increase from the current 39 Embassies.

In this context, I can also mention the various thematic Turkey-Africa conferences which have taken place over the last year.

These include the Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum in November of last year,

-The Turkey-Africa Agriculture Ministers Conference and Business Forum this April and

-The Turkey-Africa Education Ministers Conference this month in Antalya/Turkey.

Caros Convidados,

Angola is no doubt one of Africa’s leading countries and a source of stability in its region.

We fully appreciate the valuable diplomatic contributions Angola has made and is making to peace, stability and security in Africa, especially in the Great Lakes region, but beyond as well.

Angola has recently and successfully held its fourth general elections.
We wish the new government under H. E. President Joao Lourenço every success in its efforts.

We are ready to provide support to Angola where ever possible in these endeavours.
Already having excellent relations with Angola, we aim to further expand bilateral ties in all fields in the future.

This year we took an important step in the economic domain by holding the first meeting of the Turkey-Angola Joint Economic Commission here in Luanda.

This meeting was held under the Co-Chairmanships of the Minister of Customs and Trade of Turkey H.E. Bülent Tüfenkci and the former Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Angola H. E. Rui Manguiera.

This occasion allowed for a comprehensive review of bilateral economic and trade issues as well as other bilateral meetings.

Follow up meetings are planned for coming months to maintain the momentum.

I am also pleased to note that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which has 17 offices throughout Africa, will shortly be providing medical equipment to a hospital in Luanda.

I am confident that further such projects will continue in the near future.

In the field of education, Turkey also continues to provide scholarships to Angola students for studies in Turkish universities.

Finally, please join me in a toast to the friendship and partnership between Turkey and Angola.

Viva Angola! Viva Turquia! Obrigado a todos.