Director of Communications Altun: "Our President himself has made a unique contribution to strengthening our relations by paying more than 50 visits to 30 African countries to date. Everyone knows that Türkiye has been a strong actor in Africa for the past 20 years and that this role has evolved through the 'partnership of equals' approach.”
Presidency’s Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun attended the Türkiye-Africa Media Summit held by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications in İstanbul.
Delivering an opening speech at the summit, Director of Communications Altun celebrated the guests attending the Summit from 45 African countries on May 25 Africa Day and expressed his hope for the Türkiye-Africa Media Summit to reinforce the friendship between the countries and create new opportunities for cooperation in the field of media.
Director of Communications Altun stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan places a premium on relations with the African continent and its countries, and that, thanks to his strong leadership, determination, and sincerity, Türkiye-Africa relations have gained unprecedented momentum and made extraordinary progress over the past two decades.
Türkiye's interest and affection for the African continent is based on equality and mutual benefit, Altun said, and continued, " Thankfully, our African brothers and sisters have a highly favourable opinion of our approach, which makes us pleased. The friendship we have forged through our leaders, public institutions, non-governmental organizations and businesses sets an example to the rest of the world.”
Noting that Türkiye joined the African Union as an observer in 2005, which was proclaimed “Africa Year” by President Erdoğan, Director of Communications Altun added:
“The African Union declared us a "strategic partner" in 2008, putting a capstone on our contacts, which had gained momentum. Relations with Africa thus became a priority in Turkish foreign policy. We attempted to institutionalize our relations by organizing the first Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit in 2008 in Istanbul and the second in 2014 in Malabo. Finally, our President hosted the 3rd Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit in İstanbul in December. Undoubtedly, Türkiye's interest in Africa is sincere, long-term, and most importantly, firmly committed to the win-win principle. Through our actions, we endeavour to convey this sentiment to our African brothers and sisters, and we are pleased to see that this sentiment is reciprocated.”
Informing that while Türkiye had only 12 embassies in Africa in 2002; this figure has reached 43 today, Director of Communications Altun stated that the efforts of institutions and organizations, including the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), Yunus Emre Institute, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), Maarif Foundation and Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, as well as non-governmental organizations, have spread the presence of Türkiye all over Africa.
"Our total trade with the African continent has increased approximately fivefold"
The fact that Turkish Airlines increased the number of destinations in Africa to over 50 during the same time frame, strengthened our historical ties, Director of Communications Altun said and added that our economic and commercial relations with Africa have visibly strengthened in that period. Presidency’s Director of Communications Altun continued to note the following:
"In the last 20 years, our total trade with the African continent has increased approximately fivefold, while our trade volume with Sub-Saharan African countries has increased nearly tenfold. It is also a source of national pride that Africans view Turkish companies as "solution partners" in every sector, from infrastructure to energy, defence to food. Our President himself has made a unique contribution to strengthening our relations by paying more than 50 visits to 30 African countries to date. Everyone knows that Türkiye has been a strong actor in Africa for the past 20 years and that this role has evolved through the 'partnership of equals' approach. The fact that Türkiye sees itself as a true partner with African states, expresses this thought and finds a response to these feelings from our African friends and interlocutors stems directly from the absence of colonialism stain in our history. In this respect, I can confidently state that our nation's record is clean, its intentions are pure, and its deeds are good."
Stating that they see the reflections of this sincerity and goodwill in every field, Director of Communications Altun noted the number of African embassies in Ankara, which was only ten at the beginning of 2008, increased to 37, that there was an increase in the number of African students who preferred Türkiye for their education, and African investors are expanding their activities and partnerships in Türkiye.
Director of Communications Altun said: "Our nation felt these warm feelings of its African friends, brothers and sisters most profoundly after the heinous coup attempt on July 15," and went on to say:
"African countries, which took a firm stand against the treacherous FETO terrorist organisation, saw the true face of this evil structure and began taking the necessary steps against them. Thankfully, we are pleased to see that many African countries continue to take the necessary measures against this terrorist organisation at this stage. Hopefully, as a result of this forum, the leading figures in African media will have a clearer insight regarding the issue of FETO, as well as many other issues, and will return to their countries with a better understanding of the organisation's detrimental operations. In this context, we would like to express our gratitude to the Maarif Foundation, which, on behalf of the Republic of Türkiye, took over the institutions used by FETO to recruit and poison young people and put them at the service of humanity."
Recalling that increasing cooperation and coordination in the fields of press and communication was one of the decisions made at the 3rd Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit, hosted by President Erdoğan last December, Director of Communications Altun said that this meeting was essentially the result of that decision.
Director of Communications Altun added:
“Indeed, we are all aware that disinformation and smear campaigns are used to intimidate leaders and nations who speak out against the injustices of the international order, strive to be the voice of the voiceless, and reiterate that ‘a fairer world is possible.’ Of course, I would like to state unequivocally that the disinformation and lie industry is the world's greatest enemy of democracy. Unfortunately, Türkiye is currently the country most exposed to systematic lies and disinformation in the world. The reason for this is Türkiye's development revolution and breakthrough over the previous 20 years under our President's leadership. Türkiye would not have been the target of such intense international disinformation and lie industry’s systematic smear campaigns if this development revolution and breakthrough had not occurred. Türkiye is no longer a country that follows directions from foreign powers, from the west. Türkiye is a country that acts on its own behalf and in its own interests in all areas, particularly foreign policy and the economy. In order to prevent this, many malicious, evil and treacherous attempts have been made in the last 20 years. All kinds of anti-democratic applications of coup technology have been used. All of these were, of course, accompanied by dirty disinformation and lie campaigns."
"The colonialists, their local accomplices, and terrorist organisations are powerless against our President"
Noting that one of the disinformation campaigns targeted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last night, Director of Communications Altun said:
"Slander and lies were levelled against our President. Yesterday, the appropriate answers were provided. On the occasion of this meeting, however, I would like to state unequivocally that the colonialists, their native accomplices, and terrorist organisations are powerless against our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As he did yesterday, our President will continue to work and run with passion for this country today and tomorrow. Obviously, the threat of disinformation also extends to the African continent, which is now striving to stand on its own and has made significant progress in this regard. The principle 'The world is bigger than five' promoted by our President through his words and actions transcends international relations, politics, and the economy. This principle also summarises our critical and constructive approach to the global information environment."
"Cease providing a venue for terrorist organisations"
Director of Communications Altun remarked that they are concerned with preserving notions that are genuinely universal but are interpreted by Westerners to fit their purposes and wished this meeting to provide an opportunity to voice these concerns.
Director of Communications Altun urged the major global social media companies to cease providing a venue for terrorist organisations and added:
"Major companies today justify their censorship practises on the internet by claiming that these are adopted to 'preserve democracy'. Three to five American-based corporations impose certain rules, regulations, and criteria on people around the world. Non-participatory, non-transparent rules and criteria are established and articulated in a manner that is not in the best interest of humanity. On the other hand, all forms of falsehood, insults, and terrorist propaganda are claimed to fall under the umbrella of 'freedom of expression' because they serve certain people's purposes. Once more, we are sending a loud message to the major global social media companies, urging them to cease providing a venue for terrorist organisations. Terrorism is a global issue; it is neither a national nor a regional concern. Terrorism is a global issue and a menace to all parts of the world. Those who seek to promote terrorism for the sake of petty interests, those who seek to support terrorism, and those who seek to threaten some nations and the non-Western world with terrorism allow terrorist organisations to propagandise via social media companies. Here, I call out to all these social media companies. Do not support terrorist organisations such as DAESH, the PKK, and FETO, or terrorist groups operating in various regions of the world; stop providing them with propaganda opportunities. We object to this undesired scenario and are labelled adversely by others when we object; we won't accept this. To ensure our children's future, defend our national interests, and contribute to the formation of a global order that serves all, we have to be strong."
Director of Communications Altun stated that they are obligated to act in unison, that the Republic of Türkiye is fulfilling its responsibilities in this regard, and that the necessary steps will continue to be taken.
Director of Communications Altun said that Anadolu Agency has been operating in Africa for many years, that the continent has been introduced to the rest of the world through the perspectives of African journalists and opinion leaders, and that TRT Français has begun broadcasting as well.
Director of Communications Altun stated that, as a result, a significant project is being carried out to bring Africa's voice to the world's attention and to provide accurate information about Türkiye to French-speaking countries, adding, "We intend to distribute the broadcasts of these organisations throughout Africa as soon as possible, as well as to strengthen partnerships between organisations that are counterparts. We hope this forum will serve as a foundation in this respect. We also believe that with the assistance of these organisations, we would be able to promote Africa in Türkiye better."
Director of Communications Altun said that they desired a robust partnership with all African countries in the fight against disinformation, adding, "We consider it as part of our “fight for truth”. We will seek to develop our collaboration and experience sharing on a much more institutional basis in the field of communication and media by taking these actions together.
Cooperation efforts and joint projects with African media
Director of Communications Altun stated that they would launch a journalist exchange program and various projects with Africa and continued:
“I'd like to share with you some of the steps we will be taking in the field of media and communication in the near future. First and foremost, we believe that it is critical to promote African countries in Türkiye as well as Türkiye in Africa. Over time, this approach will pave the way for long-term partnerships, solidarity, and a sense of unity. As a result, we will launch journalist exchange programs between our country's leading media outlets, particularly Anadolu Agency and TRT, and their African counterparts. In this context, we will strengthen the perspective of a long-term partnership between our countries, prioritizing young journalists with less than five years of experience in the media industry. It is important to us that African journalists should be the ones to tell Africa's story, and we want to support their activities. In this context, we will provide micro-funding to African journalism projects on issues such as climate change and discrimination. We will pave the way for them to be published both in Turkish and to reach the international public through our outlets broadcasting in world languages. At the same time, this work will increase the visibility of Africa's best practices. On the other hand, we will encourage our personnel to specialize in the African continent. We will enhance our cooperation in critical areas, particularly in the fight against disinformation, by strengthening our partnerships with equivalent institutions in African countries.”
Following the speeches, a family photo was taken with the attendees.
Panel discussions continue as part of the Türkiye-Africa Media Summit.
