Turkey has Never Closed its Doors on Syrians, PM Davutoğlu Says

Istanbul, 3 Jumadal Awwal 1437/February 11, 2016 (MINA) – Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Wednesday that Turkey has never closed its doors on Syrians, despite the heavy costs.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte in The Hague, Davutoğlu said that Turkey has always kept its border open to the Syrians fleeing the attacks, Daily Sabah reported.

“Our border, hearts, and doors are open to Syrians,” Davutoğlu said while he slammed the countries and the United Nations Security Council criticizing Turkey for the current situation for remaining silent to the Russian attacks.

“I consider those who do not say ‘enough’ to Russia and tell Turkey to open its borders to be hypocritical,” Davutoğlu said and added that Turkey has never asked anyone when hosting 2.6 million Syrians and now continues to provide all services to 60,000 Syrians across the border.

Davutoğlu continued by saying that they will welcome Syrians wanting to come, but Turkey’s priority is to establish camps for Syrians inside Syria.

He also noted that the humanitarian corridor between Turkey and Aleppo has been shut by the ‘barbaric’ regime, putting many Syrians at the brink of hunger.

“Those who do not fulfill their responsibilities have no right to speak,” the prime minister said and noted that Turkey has never negotiated on the cost of Syrians and will never spend the aid for itself. (P4/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)