Algeria–Turkey relations
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Algeria |
Turkey |
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Algeria–Turkey relations are foreign relations between Algeria and Turkey. Algeria has an embassy in Ankara, and a general consulate in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Algiers. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Migration
Some estimates put 5% [1] to 25% of Algerian people are of Turkish descent;[2] The Turkish embassy in Algeria estimate it around 600,000 to 2,000,000[3] (1.5%-5.1% of the total population)
The current President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is of Turkish descent.
History
Up from 16th century until 1830, northern Algeria was part of the Ottoman Empire, then known as Ottoman Algeria and enjoyed a significant degree of political autonomy. Turkish immigration to Algeria had contributed to a large extent, a very diverse society of Algeria. The Ketchaoua Mosque in Algiers was built by the Turks in Algeria, later became the symbol of Algerian resistance for independence, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2017, the mosque was restored with Turkish funds.[4]
An indigenous Turko-Algerian people, the Kouloughlis, was formed. Majority of them follow Hanafi and Sufi branches of Sunni Islam and tend to be very secular.
The Turko-Algerians participated heavily on the Algerian War against France and were the main contributors, alongside the indigenous Berbers and Algerian Arabs for the independence of Algeria. As such, the Kouloughlis was majority very hostile to the Islamists at 1990s and supported the Government against the hardcore Islamists backed by both Iran and Saudi Arabia amidst the Algerian Civil War.
Modern relations
Algeria is an increasing important partner for Turkey in Africa and considered to be an important partner in Islamic world and Africa for Turkey. In 2013, Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid visit to Algeria and met Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algiers. Increasing cooperations, both economic, political and security, were placed.[5][6]
Turkey, as a NATO member, plays a significant role on the thawing relations between the group and Algeria, due to the important of Algeria for regional security of Africa and MENA.[7] Turkey is also increasingly becoming an important weapon exporter to Algeria and military cooperation between two countries are growing as well, giving the status of Algerian People's National Armed Forces as one of the well-trained, battle-hardened and professional Arab militaries.[8]
Algeria also acted as a mediator between Turkey and Syria throughout the Syrian Civil War.[9]
State visits
From Turkey to Algeria:
Dates | Head of State |
---|---|
January 17–20, 1988 | President Kenan Evren |
February 4–6, 1985 | Prime Minister Turgut Özal |
January 25–26, 1999 | President Süleyman Demirel |
May 22–23, 2006 | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan |
2013 | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan |
From Algeria to Turkey:
Dates | Head of State |
---|---|
April 1986 | Prime Minister Abdelhamid Brahimi |
February 2–4, 2005 | President Abdelaziz Bouteflika |
See also
References
- ^ Oxford Business Group (2008), The Report: Algeria 2008, Oxford Business Group, ISBN 978-1-902339-09-2
- ^ "OSMANLı YÖNETİMı DöNEMINDE TUNUS VE CEZAYİR'İN EGİTİM VE KOLTÜR TARİHlNE GENEL BİR BAKıŞ" (PDF). Dergiler.ankara.edu.tr. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Ülke Masaları". Musavirlikler.gov.tr. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Turkey restores symbolic mosque listed as UNESCO heritage site in Algeria". Daily Sabah. 16 December 2017.
- ^ Ismail Numan Telci (31 May 2014). "Why is Algeria important for Turkey?". Al Jazeera.
- ^ "Bouteflika okays Turkish development schemes in Algeria". Aa.com.tr. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ Atef Kadadra (8 July 2012). "Algeria's Relationship With NATO Begins to Thaw After Long Chill". Al-Monitor.
- ^ "Algeria, Turkey to cooperate on Defence Industry". Defence.pk. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ Sami Moubayed (15 July 2016). "Algeria mediated secret Turkish-Syrian talks: Syrian source". Gulf News.