USTKİP

The 7th Turkish – African Workshop on the subject of the “Turkish – African NGOs Forum” was held on Thursday the 24th of July in Ankara at Ankara Limak Ambassadore Hotel with the participation of the Ambassadors of African countries, diplomatic correspondents and representatives of public institutions and non-governmental organizations headed by the officials from the Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the opening of the meeting, The Chairman of TASAM, Suleyman Sensoy, thanked everybody for the interest they showed and stated that in the 7th of the Turkish – African Workshops, which are regularly organized, the subject of  the “Turkish – African NGOs Forum”,  which will be held between the dates 14th to the 16th of August on the subject of “Development and Cooperation”,  will be discussed and added that in this preliminary process prior to the Forum, it was intended to have two more preparatory meetings oriented towards the Turkish NGOs and Turkish Press, aiming to inform the public and initiate exchange of views.

Mr. Sensoy, who emphasized the ever increasing significance of the NGOs in the 21st century , stated that the non-governmental organizations have become important actors in the international arena and that TASAM African Institute will be realizing the Forum on NGOs based on a civil concept  in line with the objectives of the “Turkish – African Cooperation Summit”, which will be held between the dates 18th to the 21st of August, and these meetings that will be hosted by Turkey after the ones hosted by the People’s Republic of China, European Union and India, will open up new horizons for the relations between Turkey and Africa and would carry great importance with regard to the future of the relations between Turkey and Africa. 

In his speech, Mr. Sensoy reminisced that once, in a meeting he had with the former Chairman of the African Union Commission Prof. Alfa Omar Konare, the former Chairman said that the summits held at the level of state and government presidents are forgotten after sometime, however, the initiatives of the representatives of Non-governmental Organizations from this respect are necessary, to yield satisfactory results . TASAM Chairman, Mr. Sensoy, furthermore stated that 100 SCOs fom Africa are expected to participate in the Forum besides the representatives of  25 international and regional organizations and he added that the Turkish and African NGOs will come together in this Forum to help develop the process of cooperation and a common platform will be established as a basis for permanent relations.

Mr. Murat Bilhan, a former Ambassador and Vice-Chairman of TASAM, in his speech, shortly evaluated the historical relations and stated that the relations with Africa date back in time, having had a chance to start its development back in the Ottoman Era only to be interrupted in the colonial period, however, it is still significant how positive the approach of African nations towards Turkey was in the history. 

Mr. Bilhan emphasized the importance of the cultural relations between Turkey and Africa within the framework of the multilateral relations established, and added that he placed great importance on this subject during his appointment in Africa and that the arrangement and realization of  joint activities in this area carries great significance at present.

Retired Ambassador and Ankara Representative of TASAM Ass. Prof. Dr. Ali Engin Oba stated that the Turkish-African Cooperation Summit and the NGO Forum that will be held within this scope will facilitate the relations between Turkey and Africa, which have picked up pace in recent periods, and that the developments realized in the preparatory period until today are pleasing. 

Esteemed Ambassador Oba reminded that TASAM as an observer, attended the African Union – Non-governmental Organizations pre-summit meeting that was held in Sharm El Sheikh and had the chance to carry out important discussions with regard to the Forum with the representatives of the leading Civil Society organizations in Africa, revealing a pleasing fact that the African NGOs would be very willing to cooperate with the Turkish Non-governmental organizations.

The Ambassador Oba stated that they expect at least one NGO from each country in Africa to participate in the Forum and that they will be open to recommendations and opinions with regard to inviting new NGOs.

In the second section of the meeting, following the short informational speeches, the mission heads from Africa Diplomatic Group stated that this kind of an initiative at the level of NGOs was very pleasing and they would be willing to provide any kind of support with regard to the subject and that the effect of the non-governmental organizations on the development of relations between the states cannot be ignored.

In the workshop, it was stated that these have been the initial stages of the process to create awareness among Turkish people with regard to the subject of Africa and it carries great importance to change the disinterested attitude of Turkish Press towards Africa.

It was stated that the press would play an important role in making possible for the Turkish Nation and African Nations to know each other better and get closer, and the introductions made in this process would have an important impact on the developments.

It was emphasized that the lack of attention with regard to the recent visit of Mr. Jean Ping, the Chairman of the African Union Commission, was due to the deficiencies experienced between the related channels in terms of cooperation and dialog.

The esteemed Ambassador Numan Hazar, who gave a speech in the meeting, stated that the Forum had great importance in terms of contributing to the development of the relations with Africa and he further emphasized the fact that greater focus is needed at this point in the process besides the establishment of a closer cooperation with the press that would prove to be valuable, and he furthermore added that highly qualified and colorful selection of NGOs will be participating in the Forum and holding interviews and discussions with them would be necessary for promotional purposes.

Mr. Sensoy, the Chairman of TASAM, stated that they expect many African press members to attend this Forum and that this would lead to the establishment of an environment in which the opportunity to create an appropriate medium for dialogs can be achieved.

It was also stated that the participation of the Anatolian NGOs in this Forum would mean a lot and the invitations made to the domestic NGOs were not only limited to the ones in Istanbul and Ankara and many NGOs from Anatolia were expected to attend.

It was reminded that the declaration of the result that was expected to be accepted in the conclusion of the Forum in the month of August, would be submitted to the Summit, and it carries great importance for the establishment of multilateral close relations in support of the relations between non-governmental organizations.

Mr. Sensoy said that TASAM would be establishing a permanent platform for cooperation following the completion of the Forum and added that this process must be fully taken advantage of  by the Turkish NGOs that would like to cooperate with African NGOs.