ID :
201975
Wed, 08/17/2011 - 17:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201975
The shortlink copeid
No buffer zone on Syrian border, Turkey says
ANKARA (A.A) - August 17, 2011 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denied Wednesday a news report that Turkey was planning to create a buffer zone along its border with Syria to prevent an influx of refugees.
"We are talking about a 900-km border. We cannot talk about such a development right now," Davutoglu told reporters in a joint press appearance with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
"Turkish foreign policy has its principles. And they dictate for respect to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighboring countries," Davutoglu said.
"We are like adjacent wooden houses living side by side. And if a fire breaks out in one of the houses, it is impossible for the other to catch ablaze. That is why assuming that developments in Syria would not concern Turkey is just being ignorant about the facts of this geography," Davutoglu said.
The Turkish foreign minister said it was only natural for Turkey to devise policies to protect its own stability, adding, "and the Syrian people are our friends and brothers. We are concerned about their future and we are using any diplomatic means to that end."
Davutoglu also said Turkey had been conducting close consultations with the countries of the region such as Jordan and Egypt in a bid to devise a joint stance on regional issues, first and foremost on Syria.
"We are talking about a 900-km border. We cannot talk about such a development right now," Davutoglu told reporters in a joint press appearance with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
"Turkish foreign policy has its principles. And they dictate for respect to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighboring countries," Davutoglu said.
"We are like adjacent wooden houses living side by side. And if a fire breaks out in one of the houses, it is impossible for the other to catch ablaze. That is why assuming that developments in Syria would not concern Turkey is just being ignorant about the facts of this geography," Davutoglu said.
The Turkish foreign minister said it was only natural for Turkey to devise policies to protect its own stability, adding, "and the Syrian people are our friends and brothers. We are concerned about their future and we are using any diplomatic means to that end."
Davutoglu also said Turkey had been conducting close consultations with the countries of the region such as Jordan and Egypt in a bid to devise a joint stance on regional issues, first and foremost on Syria.
