Within the framework of Turkey’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, Foreign Minister Mr. Çavuşoğlu met with the Permanent Representatives of the countries of Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Tuesday, October 14.

Pointing out the importance of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said that the relations between Turkey and Africa have been developing rapidly in recent years and Turkey defines Africa as a strategic partner since 2008. Reminding that the First Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit was held in Istanbul in 2008, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the Second Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit will take place in Malabo on November 19-21, 2014.

As part of his visit to New York, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also met with the Permanent Representatives of the Latin American and the Caribbean Countries. Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that Turkey is carrying out a comprehensive and multi-dimensional foreign policy. In this context, the Minister added that Turkey pursues an outreach policy to Latin America and the Caribbean and plans to open new Embassies in some Latin American and Caribbean countries in the period ahead. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu mentioned that Turkey makes an efficient contribution to the issues on the UN agenda and if elected, a synergy will be created with the actions that Turkey will take as a UNSC member.

In the scope of Turkey’s non-permanent candidacy campaign in the UNSC for the term 2015-2016, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with the permanent representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Stating that Turkey is keenly interested in the countries of the region, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu expressed that the economic, cultural and political relations between Turkey and Africa have significantly developed in recent years. Underlining that the trade volume between Turkey and Africa has increased almost tenfold in the last decade, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said that Turkish investments to Africa has reached 6 billion dollars. Çavuşoğlu stated that 70 % of the workload of the UN is related to Africa and added that if be elected, Turkey will try to project the views of the African countries to the UNSC.

Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also participated in the opening of “Safe Harbor Turkey” exhibition held in the UN Headquarters. Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson as well as ambassadors and diplomats of various countries also attended the opening ceremony. In his opening speech, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that Turkey has traditionally been a safe harbor to people from all religions, races and languages.