We don't see Africa from colonial perspective: Erdogan

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey doesn't see Africa from colonial perspective.

In a joint press conference with Guinean President Alpha Conde in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdogan said: "Under the posh pavements of the western countries' capitals, there are tears and blood of our African brothers."

Erdogan added that Turkey wants to help Africa through current difficult circumstances.

Operation Euphrates Shield

Erdogan said that the coalition forces have not kept their promises to Turkey regarding the Operation Euphrates Shield. "We have surrounded Daesh terrorist organization from all corners in Al-Bab. The coalition forces are not keeping their promises (of supporting Turkey in fighting Daesh)."

Erdogan stressed that Turkey would proceed with the Operation Euphrates Shield whether the coalition forces support Turkey or not.

"It is impossible to return from our path," said Erdogan referring to Turkey's operation in northern Syria.

Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to rid Syria's northern border area of terrorists. Tuesday marks the 126th day of the operation.

Since the beginning of the operation, more than 1,000 Daesh terrorists were "neutralized", according to an earlier briefing by Turkey's Defense Minister.

The Turkish military usually uses the term "neutralized" to refer to dead, injured or captured terrorists.

Astana summit

Erdogan reiterated that the UN-led talks in Geneva, ongoing without any resolution since 2014, have not yielded any results.

Pointing the Astana summit will bring together representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition in Kazakhstan, Erdogan said: "If terrorist organizations will be invited to Astana, we will not consider attending. The country leaders invited to the summit are also important."

A meeting of Russian, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers was held in Moscow on last Tuesday. They agreed on a joint declaration to ensure the evacuation of civilians and armed groups from eastern Aleppo.

Putin said this could not have been achieved without the "active" cooperation of Turkey and Iran.

Russia’s president said there was a need to sign a cease-fire deal in Syria. He recalled that Turkey and Iran had agreed on an earlier suggestion to bring together representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev had expressed his "readiness" to provide a platform for talks in Astana.

'We will minimize the effect of FETO'

Saying that they support Turkey at its fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), President Conde said: "We will do our best to minimize the effect of FETO in Africa. We will also work with other African countries for the closing of FETO schools around Africa."

Conde also said that visa between the two countries would be lifted soon.

Led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, FETO is accused of orchestrating the July 15 coup plot in Turkey as well as being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

The July 15 defeated coup left 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.