Turkish FM set to visit Western Africa countries

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Top Turkish diplomat will begin his working visit to Western Africa countries including Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal today.

A statement by Turkish Foreign Ministry said Mevlut Cavusoglu will first visit Mali on Wednesday and meet members of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and representatives from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as the African Union.

The minister and the officials will address political transition in the country as well as bilateral relations, regional and international matters, said the statement.

Following the visit to Mali, Cavusoglu will pay a visit to Guinea-Bissau and Senegal on Sept. 10-11.

The visits to Guinea-Bissau and Senegal will be the first official visit at the foreign minister level. Cavusoglu and his counterparts will address bilateral relations at all levels and review possible new cooperation between the two countries, as well as will discuss regional and international matters, added the statement.