Turkey eager to boost relations with African countries: President Gul

Speaking at a joint news conference with Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Gul said he was pleased to be the first Turkish president visiting Kenya.

"Turkey considers Kenya a key country in the region. We want to improve economic and political relations and fulfill our responsibilities against Africa," Gul said.

Gul said Turkey was elected as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council with the support of African countries, and noted that, "we will be the voice of Africa in the Council."

President Gul said Kenya has become a country to invest in thanks to the economic development it has recorded and the legal arrangements it has made.

Gul said Turkish businessmen had beneficial talks on construction, energy, information technology and the parties focused on cooperation opportunities in tourism.

Commenting on economic relations, Gul said several agreements were signed between Turkey and Kenya, noting the agreements were waiting for approval.

Kenyan Prime Minister Odinga said the business forum would have an important contribution for improvement of relations.

Odinga said there were investment opportunities in Kenya in areas of construction, iron manufacturing, electricity, geothermal, dam construction, medicine and chemistry, and noted that Kenya was willing to make use of Turkey's experience in tourism.