Emine Erdoğan: "What we have done so far in Africa is the work of our country's people-oriented foreign policy"
Speaking at the iftar program with the wives of the ambassadors of African countries, Emine Erdoğan said, "In our eyes, Africa and Turkey are two friends who reach out to each other and want for the other what they want for themselves. We act with the motivation to improve our friend and to build the areas he needs. What we have done so far in Africa is the work of our country's people-oriented foreign policy."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife Emine Erdoğan came together with the wives of the ambassadors of African countries at the iftar program organized at the Presidential Complex on the occasion of Africa Day on May 25.
"AFRICA HAS A SPECIAL IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY"
Speaking at the program, Emine Erdoğan stated that May 25 has a different meaning for her every year and said, "We celebrate Africa in all its aspects. Africa Day has become a meaningful tool for us to realize projects that reinforce the feelings of friendship between the two countries."
Recalling that a gastronomy bazaar was organized with the contribution of the Association of African Ambassadors' Spouses on Africa Day in 2017, Emine Erdoğan said that she had suggested that it would be very good to prepare a book introducing the food culture of Africa and expressed her happiness that this project has come to life today.
Pointing out that the recipes in the book were selected by the wives of African ambassadors in Ankara and cooked and photographed by them in the kitchen of the Presidential Complex, Emine Erdoğan said, "Our iftar table this evening was prepared with these recipes. I hope you will try the recipes in the book in your homes and embark on a journey of flavor culture."
"COLONIALISM HAS PREVENTED AFRICA FROM GETTING BACK ON ITS FEET FOR CENTURIES"
Underlining that Africa has a special importance for Turkey, Emine Erdoğan reminded that Turkey launched the African initiative in 2005.
Emphasizing that colonialism has not allowed Africa to straighten its back for centuries, Emine Erdoğan recounted her experiences during her visit to Somalia in 2011 and said that they wished that Somalia would not be a place where humanity and hope were exhausted, but rather a center of hope that would prove that the fate of the entire continent could change.
For this reason, both public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector are joining forces for the development of Africa in every field, Emine Erdoğan said: "In our view, Africa and Turkey are two friends who reach out to each other and want for the other what they want for themselves. We act with the motivation to revitalize our friend and to develop the areas it needs. What we have done so far in Africa is the work of our country's people-oriented foreign policy. As Turkey, we do not want to pluck roses from the gardens of others, we want to give life to wilting roses. Inshallah, we will transfer this consciousness, which we take from our deep-rooted tradition, to our future generations. Because history remembers those who build, not those who destroy."
"EDUCATION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEGACY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIETY"
Emine Erdoğan stated that all kinds of support will continue to be provided for the development of Africa and pointed out that education is one of the most important pillars of this support.
Emphasizing that thousands of international students from Africa and other countries of the world are hosted in Turkey, Emine Erdoğan continued as follows: "Until today, nearly 10 thousand African students have benefited from Turkey Scholarships. In the last 10 years, we have recorded a 75 percent increase in the number of international students. With 148 thousand international students, 25 thousand of whom are on scholarship, our country has become an important center of attraction for students. In 2023, we aim to host 200 thousand international students. I hope we can increase the scholarship rate of African students among these students. I believe that the students who receive education in our country today will have the capacity to develop their homelands in many fields such as economy, industry and education when they return to their countries. Education is the most effective legacy for the development of a society, even if we reap its fruits late."
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ALL KINDS OF SUPPORT TO OUR AFRICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS"
Stating that women's development will only be possible if they use their right to education in a fair way and gain economic power, Emine Erdoğan reminded Nelson Mandela's words: "As long as women are condemned to poverty and are looked down upon, human rights will not reach their essence".
"We will continue to provide all kinds of support to our African brothers and sisters, especially women, in order for Africa to attain the position it deserves as a continent and become the rising value of the 21st century," said Emine Erdoğan.
During the program, Emine Erdoğan, wearing an African dress, took a souvenir photo with her African guests.
After the iftar, the African Food Culture Book was presented under the auspices of the Presidency as a product of the "African Culture House" project.
Hülya Çavuşoğlu, wife of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Serdar Çam, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Lütfiye Selva Çam, AK Party Women's Wings Chairperson, Serkan Kayalar, Acting President of TIKA, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin, Rector of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University and African students studying in Turkey also attended the iftar program.
23.05.2019
