Turkish president arrives in Southern African nation of Angola

By Mumin Altas

LUANDA, Angola (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived on Sunday in Angola’s capital Luanda, the first leg of his mini-tour of three African countries, also including Nigeria and Togo.

Erdogan was welcomed by Angola’s Foreign Minister Tete Antonio and Alp Ay, Turkey’s ambassador to the Southern African nation, at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport.

Accompanying the president are first lady Emine Erdogan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, and Trade Minister Mehmet Mus.

The streets of Luanda were decorated with Turkish flags before Erdogan even arrived. Billboards showing Erdogan can also be seen in Nigeria's capital Abuja ahead of Erdogan’s visit there.

Erdogan will start his official talks on Monday. The Turkish president will be welcomed by his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco with an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

The two leaders will hold a joint press conference after one-on-one talks and delegation meetings.

Erdogan is also expected to address Angola’s parliament. He will later visit the Memorial of Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto, the country’s first president, who died in 1979.

Erdogan later will attend the Angola-Turkey Business Forum organized by Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).