Turkey has officially recognized Southern Sudan as an independent state, a Turkish minister announced on Saturday.

Early on the day, Southern Sudan officially became the world's newest independent state after a January 2011 referendum in which southern Sudanese people voted overwhelmingly to secede from the north.

Turkish Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz travelled to Southern Sudan's capital where he would attend ceremonies to celebrate the independence of the country.

Cevdet Yilmaz said: "I have handed a letter on Turkey's recognition of South Sudan from our President (Abdullah Gul) to South Sudanese authorities."

"We have had very good relations with Sudan before secession. Now, we will maintain these relations with Northern Sudan and Southern Sudan both," Yilmaz told AA.

In recent years, Turkey has launched an initiative to expand to Africa, Yilmaz recalled, adding: "Africa offers a great potential. However, it could not be utilized because of fighting and other troubles. Now, I believe South Sudan will offer significant opportunities with its oil, mines and agriculture."

Yilmaz also said that South Sudan was a chance for Turkish investors and urged Turkish businessmen to invest in Africa.

AA