Anadolu Agency, Turkey
June 22 102
Turkish spokesman comments on Syria, EU, Cyprus
Ankara (AA) -Foreign Ministry Spokesman Selcuk Unal has stated that
Turkey has not engaged in any transfers of armed elements or anything
of this nature to neighbouring countries, including Syria.
Unal, in a press conference held at the Foreign Ministry, noted that
the EU Council has authorized the establishment of a framework for
dialogue and cooperation on the issue of a visa exemption for Turkey,
and that within this framework, an agreement on readmission has been
initialed by Turkey’s Permanent EU Representative.
Indicating that the readmission agreement is an agreement for
individuals who utilize the Turkey route to enter illegally into
member countries of the EU to be repatriated to their countries of
origin, Unal pointed out that the developments with regard to visa
exemption are an important stage in the relationship between Turkey
and the EU. Unal continued as follows:
“In the stage after this, Turkey, in the process leading to visa
exemption, expects an action plan containing the steps that it needs
to take to be prepared and conveyed to us by the EU Commission. After
this action plan has been provided to us, there will be consultations
among our relevant institutions, and it will be possible for other
steps to be taken, that is, for negotiations officially to begin. In
parallel with this, the readmission agreement will be able to be
signed. We expect this process to be completed as soon as possible.”
Asserting that a number of international and regional meetings will be
held in Istanbul this month, Unal said that the Turkish-Arab Economy
Forum meeting will be held in Istanbul on 29-30 June.
KEI Summit
Noting that the 20th Anniversary Summit of the Black Sea Prosperity
and Economic Cooperation Association (KEI) will be held on Tuesday, 26
June, in Istanbul under the leadership and patronage of President
Abdullah Gul, Unal announced that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
will also take part in the summit, and that various meetings at the
foreign minister level will be held.
Reminding his listeners that Turkey had played a pioneering role in
the establishment of the KEI, and hosts its secretariat, Unal said
that the summit is important from the standpoints of imbuing the KEI
with a new vision and increasing the effectiveness and the visibility
of the KEI.
Noting as well that Turkey will take over the KEI term presidency from
Serbia on 1 July 2012, Unal stated that at the summit meeting, the
heads of state and government will sign a new economic agenda document
that sets out the KEI’s goals for the next ten years, as well as the
KEI’s 20-Year Summit Declaration.
Unal announced that Romania, Moldova, Serbia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan
will participate in the summit at the presidential level, Albania and
Bulgaria at the prime ministerial level, the Russian Federation at the
level of deputy prime minister, and Armenia at the level of deputy
foreign minister, while confirmation is still being awaited from
Ukraine and Greece has not yet advised regarding its attendance.
Responding to questions as well in the conference, Unal, when reminded
of reports to the effect that Free Syrian Army leader Riyad al-Asad
had departed Turkey, said: “This report is not accurate. Information
reaching us as of last night is that the individual you cited is still
within the borders of our country.”
Claim of Arms Transfers
When one journalist noted reports appearing in the New York Times
newspaper to the effect that weapons have been sent from Turkey to
Syria and that three countries are acting as sponsors in this regard
and asked whether or not this was true, Unal indicated that questions
about activities allegedly carried out by other countries and the
different institutions of those countries should be put to the
countries in question, and said: “As for us, Turkey is not engaging in
any transfers of armed elements or anything of this nature to
neighbouring countries, including Syria.”
Responding to a question as to whom Turkey sees as an alternative to
the regime of [Syrian President Bashar] Al-Asad, Unal noted that
Turkey’s priority is for the bloodshed in Syria to end, and has always
exerted, and will continue to exert, efforts to bring this about.
Declaring that Turkey approaches all the various groups in Syria in an
equidistant manner, and has also behaved in this same way towards all
the groups within the Syrian National Council, Unal said: “From our
standpoint, the important thing is not this or that group, but rather
the welfare and the future of the Syrian people. The important thing
here is for the Syrian administration to fully understand the
situation that the regime is in, and to take certain steps. But we see
that these steps are never taken. Despite the appeals of the entire
international community.”
Pointing out that, according to UN reports, approximately 2,000 people
have died in Syria since the announcement of the [UN and Arab League
Special Envoy for Syria Kofi] Annan Plan, and that Annan has stated
that this plan has been unable to be implemented, Unal said: “Our view
here is for the Syrian people themselves to be those who will have the
say. It is the Syrian people who will decide, and not we.”
Asked what expectations there are of the international meetings on
Syria that will soon be held, Unal pointed out that the meeting that
will be held in Paris is a continuation of the process in which Turkey
as well is involved, and that there will be discussions there of what
can be done in Syria and what steps will be taken.
Unal noted that, in terms of the international meeting that is on the
agenda with a proposal from Russia, there are as yet no confirmed time
or venue for such a meeting.
32,750 Syrians Have Taken Refuge in Turkey
Asked how Turkey approaches the implementation in Syria of the Yemen
model, which provides for the individual ruling the country to depart
the country and face an independent tribunal, Unal noted that
President Abdullah Gul had made a statement on this issue.
Indicating that the most important issue for Turkey is for the
instability in Syria to end as soon as possible, Unal noted that a
number of formulas and scenarios have been put onto the agenda in
terms of international public opinion.
Pointing out that the Syrian people as well have no more tolerance for
chaos, Unal said that it is clear from the numbers of refugees, going
not just to Turkey but to other countries as well, that the situation
continues to be grave and acute.
Unal advised that, as of this morning, there are 32,750 Syrian
citizens in Turkey, and that the number of Syrian generals in Turkey
has risen to 12.
Reminded of the statements of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu with
regard to the fact that sanctions implemented against France would
come off the agenda, and asked about the most recent developments in
this regard, Unal noted that they expect the discussions during the
visit that Davutoglu will make to France on 5 July to be positive.
Replying to a question on the Cyprus talks, Unal said that the
situation in the Cyprus negotiations derives not from the Turkish side
but rather from the Greek Cypriot side.
Unal, declaring that the Turkish side has to date, in every phase,
exerted all the efforts that it could, and has also shared its
proposals with the public, noted that Turkey has been unable to get a
concrete response to its proposals.
Noting that the United Nations General Secretary’s Special Cyprus
Adviser, Alexander Downer, is continuing his contacts, Unal declared
that Downer has informed them he is working on a number of measures.