Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Jan 7 2010
German minister notes Turkey’s " significant position and role" in Middle East
Ankara, 7 January: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that
newly-appointed German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and he
agreed that the Cyprus issue should not obstruct Turkey-EU relations
and that the strategic dialogue mechanism between Turkish and German
foreign ministries should be put into practice as soon as possible.
Davutoglu met with German Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister
Westerwelle, who is currently in Ankara on a formal visit.
He said at a joint news conference following the meeting that they
decided to form a mechanism of consultation and cooperation, and that
they agreed to put into practice the strategic dialogue mechanism
between Turkish and German foreign ministries.
Davutoglu said that they were planning to open Turkish-German University soon.
Referring to Turkey-Germany economic and commercial relations,
Davutoglu said, "There are about 4,000 German companies operating in
Turkey. After the recent increase in amount of natural gas purchased
from Russia, Germany became the second biggest commercial partner of
Turkey behind Russia."
Davutoglu told reporters, "Turkey-EU relations topped agenda of our
meeting. I thanked Mr Westerwelle for extending support to Turkey’s EU
process. We also welcomed that he once again underlined the principle
of ‘pacta sund servanda’ (Latin for "agreements must be kept").
Germany is one of founder and leading countries of the EU.
Undoubtedly, Germany has a strategic perspective about Turkey-the EU
relations. This perspective will have positive impacts on future
international positions of Turkey, Germany and the EU."
"I informed Mr Westerwelle on the Cyprus issue in detail. We agreed
that the Cyprus issue should not obstruct Turkey-the EU relations. We
also exchanged views on what can be done to ensure a fair and lasting
peace in Cyprus under the United Nations parameters," Davutoglu said.
"The regional developments, Afghanistan, the Middle East peace
process, Iran’s nuclear programme, efforts to normalize Turkey-Armenia
relations and the Upper Karabakh dispute were also high on agenda of
the meeting," he said.
Upon a question about an incident in Norway against a Turkish family,
Davutoglu told reporters, "We are profoundly sorry that one of our
citizens lost her life in Norway. It is our duty to protect rights of
all our citizens. This is also an issue of human rights. We officially
called on Norwegian authorities to launch an investigation into the
incident. Also, the Norwegian embassy in Ankara was given a diplomatic
note."
A 63-year-old woman died in Norway while waiting for an ambulance.
When Dondu Tulum had a cardiac attack, his son Fedai Ucarli called for
an ambulance. After paramedics were late, he made another call and
yelled at officers. Police came to Turkish family’s house and beat
Ucarli, his wife and his brother-in-law. The old woman died at home in
lack of medical assistance.
German foreign minister said on Thursday that problems in Near East
could be solved by Turkey’s significant position and role.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and German Vice-Chancellor
and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle held a press conference in
Ankara after having a meeting.
Westerwelle said Germany had a "great interest" on improvement of
Turkish-German relations and Turkey’s adhesion to the EU.
Nearly 3,000,000 people of Turkish origin has been living in Germany
and 4,000,000 Germans visit Turkey every year, he said.
Turkey had a key role on the international platform and it had a
important position in solution of problems in problematic regions, he
said.
German minister said Davutoglu and he agreed to boost strategic
dialogue between the two countries.
"Let me state categorically that what has been agreed between the EU
and Turkey is still valid. This German government will honour these
undertakings. You have my word on that," Westerwelle said.
Westerwelle said they expected Turkey to continue its reform process
and Germany supported this process within the scope of Europe’s
interest.
German Foreign Minister Westerwelle will keep holding talks with
Turkish authorities in Ankara on Thursday [7 January].
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the tragedy in Gaza
should come to an end as soon as possible.
Davutoglu met with German Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister
Westerwelle, who is currently in Ankara on a formal visit. He said at
a joint news conference following the meeting, "Some circles are
talking about a slowdown in Turkey’s EU membership process. Actually,
one reason for this slowdown is the conjuncture which unfairly holds
Turkey responsible for the Cyprus issue – a totally irrelevant issue
from Turkey’s EU process – and which enables the Greek Cypriot
administration to use Turkey-the EU relations for its own purposes.
Another reason is that the Turkey-the EU relations, unfortunately,
become a part of domestic political agenda of the EU-member countries
from time to time. But, we are determined. We will further intensify
our cooperation ties with all EU member states including Germany."
Upon a question about the developments in the Middle East, Davutoglu
told reporters, "We consider the issue a matter of human rights beyond
its aspects of security and stability. Both the Turkish public opinion
and the government are quite sensitive about what has happened in Gaza
from the very beginning. The tragedy in Gaza should come to an end as
soon as possible. This is our duty for the humanity."
"It is unacceptable that 1,500,000 people are living in a
totally-isolated environment. It is just like a ghetto. I held talks
with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Ali Abu-al-Ghayt after some
problems emerged during passage of a relief convoy. The Egyptian
government gave a positive response to Turkey initiatives. In the end,
the convoy arrived in Gaza and began distributing aid to Gazan
people," Davutoglu said.