TEHRAN, YJC. "We lead countries who are against all forms of racism" said Davutoglu and Israel must change attitude
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday said that Turkey led the countries who were against all forms of racism.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his US counterpart John Kerry in the Turkish capital of Ankara following a tete-a-tete meeting, Davutoglu underlined that Turkey would continue its stance against racism.
"If Israel wished to hear positive statements from Turkey, then it has to review its own stance," Davutoglu noted.
In response to a question on Turkish-Israeli relations, Ahmet Davutoglu stressed that Israel acted with a hostile attitude when it killed nine Turks in open seas back in May 2010 as they were on their way to Gaza to deliver aid.
"We gave Israel the chance to improve their hostile attitude but for the past 2.5 or 3 years they only tried to legitimize their hostile act," Davutoglu indicated.
"The friendship of Turkish people is strong. The reaction of the Turkish people against all attacks is also strong," Davutoglu said.
"We made great efforts to facilitate Israeli-Palestinian peace. We are ready to make more efforts. Both Mr. Kerry and President Barack Obama informed us that they would make serious efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian issue," Davutoglu stated.
Turkey is ready to do whatever is necessary for a just solution with two states (Israel and Palestine), Davutoglu said.
On Syria, Ahmet Davutoglu underlined that establishing humanitarian assistance corridors in Syria and the international community's efforts in such a direction carried high importance.
Furthermore, Davutoglu said, "the attacks made against civilian residential areas, beginning with the Scud missiles, which constitute crimes of war, must immediately end".
In response to a question on Syria, Davutoglu underlined that the Syrian people were under heavy bombardment for the past two years and that it was high time for the international community to take steps to end such attacks.
"Turkey's Syrian policy is open and clear. Necessary steps must be taken so that a real political change takes place meeting the legitimate demands of the Syrian people," Davutoglu noted.
"There are millions of Syrians living in winter conditions by being hungry and thirsty and without shelter. The international community must be sensitive to the pain of these Syrians," Davutoglu stressed.
All of our talks on Syria aim to protect innocent Syrians, Davutoglu said.
We follow closely the relationship that the US wishes to develop with Europe within the frame of transatlantic trade and investment partnership, Davutoglu stated.
Offering Turkey's condolences again over a suicide blast at the US Embassy in Ankara last month, Davutoglu said that a memorial which took place for the late Turkish security guard Mustafa Akarsu in which Akarsu's family was present at the US Embassy on Friday was a great gesture.
"Our bilateral relations with the US are excellent. Relations continue to move forward fast within the 'model partnership' that US President Barack Obama has defined," Davutoglu emphasized.
"We are pleased to note that our two countries look at many issues with a common perspective. The international system and regional as well as global peace needs Turkish-US relations," Davutoglu indicated.
Touching on the Middle East Peace Process, Ahmet Davutoglu said he was pleased to see a strong will on the part of Mr. Kerry and President Obama for the peace process.
"It is essential for all actors to make efforts for a two state solution based on the borders of 1967. Bringing permanent peace to the Middle East is within the common perspectives of Turkey and the US," Davutoglu added.