Ankara expects African countries to cooperate with it against the Fetullah Gülen Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind last year's defeated coup attempt in Turkey, including by shuttering its schools, Turkey’s national education minister said Thursday.
Speaking at the opening of the Turkey-Africa Education Ministries Conference at Istanbul’s Cırağan Palace, İsmet Yılmaz said that in its foreign policy, Turkey prioritizes the independence, freedom, peace, and safety of Africa countries.
Yılmaz highlighted the deep roots of the friendship between Turkey and African countries.
“Africa has always held a special place in our hearts,” he said.
Turkey has been active in Africa in many fields, from health to education, and cooperation in the fields of education and culture, bringing the two sides closer to each other, he said.
“If we want initiate ties with a country, I think education is the best place to start,” he added.
Turkey has agreements on education cooperation with 26 African countries and is negotiating for cooperation with 20 more, said İsmet Yılmaz.
“Nine draft agreements have been sent to related countries through the Foreign Ministry,” he said. “We are cooperating with 34 Africa countries.”
Yılmaz also said that since 2012, nearly 6,300 African students have been provided with various scholarships in Turkey by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities under the Turkey Scholarship program.
Turning to the defeated 2016 coup attempt of FETÖ, he said that Turkey has closed all institutions linked to FETÖ and that its fight against the terrorist group will continue.
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
FETÖ also has a considerable international presence, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.
“There are schools linked to this terrorist organization in Africa. These schools are providing financial support to the organization,” he said.
“We expect our bother African countries to cooperate more with Turkey to wage a better fight against these organizations.”
Turkey has established an organization, the Maarif Foundation, to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETÖ. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad.
Nineteen African countries have handed over FETÖ schools to Maarif or closed them at Ankara's request.
Yılmaz also announced Turkey’s candidateship for a seat on UNESCO’s 2017-2021 Executive Board, saying Turkey strongly believes in UNESCO’s vision.
He also requested Africa’s support for the board election, set for Nov. 8.
Yılmaz said that cooperation agreements between Turkey and African countries will be signed during the three-day conference in Istanbul.
Representatives of 27 African countries are attending the event.
