TURKEY SOWING SEEDS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGAGEMENT IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000246 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019 TAGS: PREL TU SU SUBJECT: TURKEY SOWING SEEDS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA Classified By: POL Counselor Daniel O'Grady for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Turkish Government continues to seek closer ties to Africa. High-level engagement has continued in the wake of Turkey's November election to the UNSC as a non-permanent member. The MFA also has plans for a round of Ambassadorial meetings in 2011, followed by a second summit in 2013. Additionally, the Turkish Federation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) is seeking to promote increased Turkish investment in Africa. In a recent statement, TUSKON noted that it had established a trade bridge between African countries and Turkey and that Turkey's exports to Africa had exceeded imports from the continent for the first time in history. End Summary. RECENT VISITS BY AFRICAN LEADERS ¶2. (C) In early February, Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammad Taha came to Ankara for a 24-hour working visit. During a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Taha sought Turkey's support for a UNSC resolution that would defer the probable International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. MFA Africa Section Chief Aykut Kumbaroglu told us that Erdogan said Turkey will "maintain a balanced approach" in its dealings with Sudan. Kumbaroglu underscored that GOT's main goal was the success of the political process in Sudan and the resulting stability of the country. When questioned about GOT policy regarding Darfur, he stressed that Turkey will continue its humanitarian assistance in the region, including the maintenance and operation of two hospitals. Taha also met separately with Koksal Toptan, the speaker of the Turkish Parliament, in order to advocate closer Parliamentarian ties. ¶3. (SBU) In a less controversial visit, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoun Mesfin staged a working visit last week in Ankara and met with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister Sait Yazicioglu, and Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim. In a public statement, Yazicioglu noted the important role Ethiopia plays in regional security and stability. Kumbaroglu reported talks between Mesfin and Yildirim focused on bilateral trade, which rose to approximately $200 million in 2008. During a press conference, Mesfin stated that Ethiopia would like to see additional Turkish investments and suggested direct flights between Istanbul and Addis Ababa by Turkish Airlines as an initial growth sector. MFA'S CONTINUED OUTREACH TO AFRICAN AMBASSADORS ¶4. (C) As a demonstration of its commitment to increasing ties with Africa, Kumbaroglu noted that President Gul hosted a meeting of the Ambassadors of African countries accredited to Turkey in Ankara on January 22. Top MFA officials also addressed the 34 African ambassadors who attended, including both those with Embassies in Ankara and those who had regional missions elsewhere. During his remarks, Foreign Minister Babacan pledged that "Turkey will always effectively support developments on the continent in collaboration with the Africans themselves." He also stressed the importance of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA),which has regional offices in Addis Ababa, Khartoum, and Dakar. Through these offices, TIKA had started a variety of projects in 37 African countries. ¶5. (C) The Turkish MFA is continuing its plan to expand its diplomatic footprint in Africa. According to Kumbaroglu, President Gul is scheduled to visit Tanzania and Kenya in late February to discuss enhanced bilateral relations. In order to staff the fifteen new embassies Turkey plans to open in Africa, the MFA has doubled the size of its annual cadet class. (NOTE: The MFA's personnel chief has admitted to us that higher-level ranks are streched thin. END NOTE) Kumbaroglu added the GOT plans to open its new missions in Tanzania and Ghana before the end of 2009. To capitalize on its momentum, GOT is planning a meeting of accredited African ambassadors in 2011, with another Africa Union-Turkey Summit tentatively scheduled for 2013. GROWING ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN TURKEY AND AFRICA ¶6. (C) The Turkish Federation of Businessmen and Industrialist (TUSKON) is leading Turkey's charge into the African market. In May 2008, TUSKON hosted a third "trade bridge" meeting in Istanbul, where TUSKON provided assistance ANKARA 00000246 002 OF 002 to Turkish and African businessmen interested in launching export ventures. In a February 2009 public statement, TUSKON Chairman Rizanur Meral trumpeted the progress of the Turkey-Africa trade bridge, noting that Turkey's exports--totaling 9 billion USD at the end of 2008--to Africa had exceeded imports from the continent for the first time. He was optimistic about the continuation of this trend and noted that many Turkish entrepreneurs are producing their goods in African countries and selling these products directly to Africa. COMMENT ¶7. (C) Despite criticism that Turkey's only interest in Africa was gaining support for its UNSC bid, it is clear that Turkey will continue to pursue engagement in Africa in the medium- to long-term. GOT officials from Gul to Toptan have stressed the importance of these efforts, apparently as a method of expanding Turkey's influence in the region. While Turkey may have to contend with increasing Indian and Chinese influence in Africa in the future, it has laid the groundwork for its own sustainable diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey Jeffrey