The strengthening and enhancement of South Africa's political, economic and commercial relations with Turkey is critical for the advancement of national priorities, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

"We invite all our international partners and Turkey to renew their faith in investing in our economy and partner with us in building a better Africa, a better Turkey and a prosperous world for all," Motlanthe said.

Motlanthe is on a three-day State visit to Turkey with the aim of strengthening economic and commercial relations with that country. Turkey is a strategic trading partner for South Africa.

He says that Europe must view Africa as an equal business partner and not a place to exploit its rich minerals, adding that Africa should evolve from being historically exploitative to being more mutually beneficial.

"We believe that Turkey is one of the solid bridges that connect the developing countries to the developed world. We are willing as South Africa to strengthen the relations between the two countries and march side by side," said Motlanthe.

During the visit, Motlanthe is set to address the Turkish nation about next month's World Cup. Although Turkey did not qualify for the showpiece, it appears that South Africa has its support.

Yesterday he addressed the University of Ankara on Africa, in celebration of Africa Day, where he called on unity among Africans and challenged African governments to work towards demystifying the negative perception about Africa, among others.

The Turkish economy is the seventeenth largest in the world and is South Africa's largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Both are also members of the Group of 20.

Motlanthe, who arrived in Ankara, Turkey yesterday along with six Cabinet ministers and a business delegation, will also be engaged in talks related to the United Nations Security Council and climate change.

South Africa is also drumming up support in its bid to rejoin the UN Security Council, of which Turkey is a non-permanent member of the Council.

Motlanthe's visit also comes at a critical juncture during which many important issues are at stake for many countries. Reform in global financial institutions tops the list for both countries, as G20 members from developing economies.

Both Turkey and South Africa are pretty much on the same page when it comes to new power-sharing schemes in the committees of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Turkey is a strategic European trading partner. In 2008, its exports to South Africa totalled $1,2-billion. South Africa exports gold, coal, automotive products and steel to Turkey.