Guinean President Alpha Conde said in an exclusive interview with news channel “tvnet” during a visit to the Albayrak Media Group on Sunday that Islamic unity needs to be established in disputed regions under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
President Conde, visiting Turkey for the ninth summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, stated that the summit is significant as it was once established in Istanbul to create unity among Muslim countries. Noting that President Erdoğan is at the fore to achieve the goals of the summit, Conde said that the Turkish President also offered creating a summit similar to G-20 by opening the D-8 summit to various other countries.
Africa-Turkey relations have improved substantially since President Erdoğan took office, the Guinean President said. “Relations have incredibly developed since his first visit to Guinea. I also paid many visits to Turkey. We decided to boost relations in every area. We particularly discussed improving the cooperation between the two countries and companies. Guinea has a great mining and agricultural capacity, and I believe we can reveal this wealth and make Guinea a prosperous country with the help of Turkey.”
Regarding the unity of the Muslim world and Africa, Conde pointed out that President Erdoğan’s idea of expansion is very important. He said it is crucial to make new progress in disputed regions and establish Islamic unity. “What is really important is the contribution Guinea will make to the African Union (AU), rather than the AU’s contribution to Guinea,” he added.
The president said that Africa must have one voice in order to unite as one and foreign countries should not get involved. “As you know, Guinea is a very important country. We declared independence with a large majority of 58 percent. Guineans showed their support to achieve independence.”
Conde, as the chairman of the AU, said they have so far signed significant agreements with the International Monetary Foundation (IMF) for Guinea and that they aim to increase the country’s economic growth to double-digit numbers. “In this process, Turkey’s support is vital for us,” he noted.
Addressing the latest Africa Summit that focused on free trade zone in the continent, structural reform in the AU, terror, security and empowering youth, President Conde said it was important that the AU was not dependent on foreign economic contribution. “ Foreign interventions are being made [in African countries], but they have made progress. It is critical that the countries declare their economic independence.”
He added that the African countries are taking steps although despite going through a difficult period. “We are making efforts to create a single market in Africa. Therefore, I think the union is progressing. Turkey's approach toward African countries aims to conduct business with them while acknowledging their unity and integrity. This is the kind of cooperation we expect in Africa. We know that Turkey has made huge investments in Africa. It has opened a great number of embassies in the continent. Turkish Airlines has direct flights to many countries in Africa. Therefore, we are aware that relations have greatly improved under the leadership President Erdoğan.”
Conde said that his meeting with President Erdoğan addressed cooperation between the two countries. “We regard ourselves as from one family,” he stressed.
Regarding Turkey's July 15 coup attempt orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the Guinean President said he was in contact with the Turkish ambassador all night, who confirmed that Erdoğan took control of the situation. Noting that he was in Kigali, Ruanda on the night of July 15, he said he sent his wife to Turkey as he was not able to arrive soon. “I wanted him to feel my personal support and the support of Guinea.”
Following the interview, President Conde attended a dinner with the executives of Albayrak Holding. Chairman of Albayrak Holding, Ahmet Albayrak; board members Nuri Albayrak, Mustafa Albayrak, Kazım Albayrak and Mesut Albayrak and Albayrak Holding’s executives were present at the dinner. A presentation was given to President Conde, regarding economic relations between Turkey and Guinea and Albayrak Media Group’s investments in Guinea.
