ALGIERS
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is currently visiting Algeria, said that Turkey attached a great importance to Africa.
Turkey opened 23 embassies in Africa in the past five years, Davutoglu said in his meeting with Algerian journalists on Monday.
Turkey considered Algeria a strategic actor in its region and its opening gate to Africa, he said.
Davutoglu is expected to meet with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika later.
FM says Mali crisis must be solved by peaceful means
Davutoglu said Turkey and Algeria had common view that crisis in Mali must be solved through peaceful means.
Davutoglu had a meeting with Algerian journalists.
Replying to a question, Davutoglu said that Turkey was in favor of political solution in regard to the crisis.
"I think of visiting Mali as soon as possible," he said.
Davutoglu said he told his Algerian counterpart that Turkey was ready to extend support on the matter.
Turkish fm received by Algerian president
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika received Davutoglu in Algiers
After the meeting, Davutoglu said that they made important decisions to improve bilateral relations in the meeting.
Turkey considered Algeria its strategic partner in the Middle East and Africa, he said.
The meeting was a great opportunity to take up common culture and values between Turkey and Algeria, Davutoglu added.
