'World should weigh Africa's potential contributions'

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - The world should carefully take into account the huge contributions Africa can make to the global economy in the decades to come, said Turkey’s foreign minister on Thursday.

Speaking at a conference in the Turkish capital Ankara, Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed the importance of a "reawakening" Africa for the opportunities and contributions it will provide the world economy and its development over the next 20-30 years.

"We have to take these into account very well," he added.

Since the early 2000s, Turkey has pursued an official policy of outreach to Africa, opening new diplomatic representations, offering development aid, and forging closer economic ties on the principle of "win-win" for all sides.

Also addressing the issue of migration, Cavusoglu said that since World War II, 70 million people have had to flee their homes.

He said international cooperation is needed to help integrate these people.

Cavusoglu added that Turkey is pursuing a humanitarian foreign policy to help victims all over the world and contributing to peace and economic development in its region and beyond.