UPDATE - Turkey ready to share its know-how with Africa: Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM ERDOGAN, REVISES HEADLINE

By Enes Kaplan, Ilkay Guder and Ilhan Toprak

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AA) – Turkey is ready to share its experience and know-how with Africa in many sectors, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a joint press conference Tuesday with his Mozambican counterpart in the capital Maputo, the second stop of his southeastern African tour.

"We are ready to share our experience in these areas with our African brothers," Erdogan said, talking about cooperation agreements signed with Mozambique.

"I think we should do this on a win-win basis," Erdogan added.

"As of November 2016, the trade volume between our countries is $103 million … We believe that this trade volume between Mozambique and Turkey will first reach $250 million and then $500 million."

"With the cultural wealth and great economic potential it possesses, Mozambique has managed to become one of the African continent’s most stable countries," Erdogan added.

Erdogan also said that the Turkish Cooperation Coordination Agency (TIKA) wants to open an office in Maputo.

- Erdogan: Beware of FETO

Erdogan warned the Mozambican president to beware of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

“We discussed the fight against FETO’s July 15 coup attempt with Mozambique’s president. We asked for their support on this issue. Because this organization, which has a network spread throughout the world, will definitely do the same here if they have infiltrated some positions in Mozambique just like they entered the armed forces, police units, and state institutions in our country," said Erdogan.

Ankara holds FETO responsible for the July 15 coup attempt which martyred at least 248 people and wounded around 2,200 others.

In addition to the deadly coup attempt, Ankara has also said FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

- 6 pacts

Turkey and Mozambique also signed six agreements in various areas.

The signing ceremony was held in the capital Maputo in the presence of Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.

Erdogan said that Turkey wants to promote win-win cooperation between the two countries.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu signed two memorandums of understanding – a mutual visa exemption agreement and a political consultation mechanism for diplomatic services and special passport holders – between the two countries.

A trade and economic cooperation agreement and another on protection of mutual investments were signed by Turkish Economic Minister Nihat Zeybekci.

The two countries also signed memorandums of understanding in the areas of culture and tourism.

Mozambique is the Turkish president's second stop on his five-day southeastern Africa tour, following Tanzania. He will visit Madagascar on Wednesday.