TURKEY WILL NOT CHANGE SOMALIA POLICY AFTER ATTACKS ON TURKISH EMBASSY

Ankara, 23 Ramadan 1434/30 July 2013 (MINA) – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday Turkey would not change its policy towards Somalia following attacks on a Turkish Embassy annex in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu.

That attack killed one Turkish security guard leaving several others injured on Saturday, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Following his visit to the wounded police guards at an Ankara hospital, Davutoglu said Turkey stood by Somalia carrying out “great projects” to help Somalian people in the past two years.

“Turkey has offered humanitarian help to Somalia worth more than $200 million to help it develop cooperating with many non-governmental organizations,” said Davutoglu.

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“If life has got back to normal today in Somalia, political process has begun to serve its purpose and Turkey has played an important role in this process. Turkey has helped Somalia for humanitarian values. We have made great sacrifices to help them and to reinforce our friendship and these sacrifices were appreciated by the international community.”

Davutoglu said Turkey would not give up helping Somalia, adding it was not possible to dissuade it from fulfilling its goals towards its African policy.

He extended his condolences to the family of the Turkish security guard and wished a quick recovery to all those injured.

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Barzani’s Turkey visit

Davutoglu stated Monday that Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of the regional administration in north of Iraq, wouldl be paying a visit to Turkey in order to discuss latest developments in the region.

“Developments in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria happen very fast. So, there are needs of holding these consultations in ordered frequent intervals,” said Davutoglu in regards to Barzani’s Turkey visit.

He noted that Barzani would come together with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the following day and continue with his talks in Turkey.

Seeing all political sides under the same roof when forming Syria’s future has been one of Turkey’s main principles, he added.

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Davutoglu also touched on the meeting to be held with Nechirvan Barzani that will cover the recent developments in Iraq, in its critical election process.

Asked about the latest political crisis in Egypt, Davutoglu said that Turkey wanted Egypt to get back to democratic process within the shortest possible time, adding Egypt was the backbone in the region and unrest would badly affect all the region.

Turkey is exerting all the efforts to bring back democracy to Egypt, he added. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)