'Erdogan's visit to Algeria to speed up economic ties'

By Tugrul Cam

ALGIERS (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Algeria will accelerate economic relations between the countries, Turkey’s ambassador in Algiers said on Monday.

"Our political relations are at very good level...The main aspect that this visit will accelerate is our economic ties and our investments, commitment projects, and the partnerships that businessmen will get into in Algeria," Mehmet Poroy told Anadolu Agency.

Erdogan’s visit to Algeria -- the first stop in a four-nation African tour -- will be the second presidential trip to the country. After Algeria, Erdogan will head to Mauritania on Feb. 28, followed by Senegal and Mali.

Since 2004, Erdogan has paid official visits to 24 African countries and witnessed the signing of numerous bilateral pacts.

Poroy said Turkish companies’ investments total some $3.5 billion in such areas as iron and steel, textiles, chemistry, and the pharmaceutical industry.

"Turkey ranks first both in terms of investments and the employment that it provides," he said.

Poroy added this supports Algeria's efforts to diversify its economy and end its dependence on oil and gas.

"The production will rise and it will have a positive effect on Algeria's foreign trade," he said.

The ambassador said there was no free trade agreement between the countries, but Turkey is willing to sign such a pact once it is reached.

- FETO in Algeria 'almost non-existent'

Poroy said the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- the group behind this defeated 2016 coup in Turkey -- was "almost non-existent" in Algeria.

"Algeria is a strong state. Its administration and institutions are durable. Thereby, the structure of FETO in Algeria is almost non-existent compared to other African countries," he said.

Poroy added there were a few shell companies of FETO and two private schools in Algeria.

"We have expressed for so long that necessary measures on these should be taken ... In this regard, our cooperation and close contact continue with the Algerian authorities," he added.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.