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FMs of Group of Friends of Syria convene in Istanbul
21 April 2013 10:30 (Last updated 21 April 2013 11:41)
We say 'enough' to massacres in Syria, said Turkish fm
ISTANBUL
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday stressed that they wanted to say 'enough' to massacres in Syria and called on the international community and all sides involved to make a joint struggle on Syria.
A meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Group of Friends of Syria took place at the Adile Sultan Palace in Istanbul on Saturday.
Ahmet Davutoglu, foreign ministers and high level officials from the United States, Britain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, Italy, Germany and France as well as representatives from the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces attended the meeting.
Following the meeting, Davutoglu, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chairman of the Syrian National Coalition Moaz al-Khatib held a press conference.
Speaking at the press conference, Ahmet Davutoglu said that two documents were distributed to press members.
"One of the documents is a declaration issued by the Syrian National Coalition on the future of Syria. In this declaration, the Syrian National Coalition put forward their vision for the future of Syria. They have drawn a vision in which all Syrians are equal. We will share this vision with you," Davutoglu said.
"The second document is a joint statement made by the 11 countries who have attended Saturday's meeting in Istanbul. In this document, you can see that the 11 countries came together with a joint position. You can see the details in the document. What is crucial is for the 11 countries to extend clear support to the Syrian National Coalition and display a political will to make all necessary works to end the massacres in Syria," Davutoglu noted.
"The nature and character of such assistance would be evaluated at every stage depending on the conditions. There was a very strong call made from here. We do hope that this strong call receives response from all capitals of the world beginning with Damascus. We say 'enough' to massacres in Syria. We call on the international community and all sides involved to make a joint struggle on Syria," Davutoglu said.
International community calls on both sides in Syria to reach a political solution as set forth by the Geneva Agreement, Davutoglu stated.
"There is no place for those who have taken roles in the massacres of Syria in a political solution. We prefer a political transition process which is accepted by the Syrian people. As the 11 countries, we are determined to work together against political risks which may come up due to a delay in the political process. We have an agreement to make sure the risks do not hurt the Syrian people further and regional stability does not get placed under jeopardy," Davutoglu also said.
-"Assistance to be made through High Military Council"-
US Secretary of State John Kerry described the situation in Syria as terrifying.
"The Syrian crisis is now going beyond the borders of Syria and began threatening the stability of neighboring countries," Kerry said.
"Bloodshed in Syria must end. What brought us together here was to talk about the possibilities for peace and a transitional period," Kerry underlined.
"The first option for the solution of the Syrian crisis is a political path followed by a transitional government and elections which would determine the new leadership," Kerry said.
"A political and peaceful solution in Syria must be given priority. We have agreed to provide assistance to the Syrian opposition through the High Military Council operating as part of the Syrian National Coalition," Kerry indicated.
"We hope to reach negotiations as part of the Geneva Declaration. If this does not happen, we are all determined to continue to support the Syrian opposition. We may make new statements on what type of assistance we may provide in the upcoming days," Kerry also said.
-"We have no motive for revenge"-
Also speaking at the press conference in Istanbul, Chairman of the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, Moaz al-Khatib said that they would establish justice during the transitional period.
All political elements here do not have a motive for revenge, al-Khatib said.
We want Russia to have a positive stance on Syria and work to end bloodshed in Syria, al-Khatib noted.
-"We reject all forms of terrorism"-
The Syrian National Coalition released a declaration following the Istanbul meeting on Saturday.
"We are aware that there are radical/extremist circles in Syria who follow their own agenda. As the Syrian people, we strongly reject and condemns all forms of terrorism and extremist ideology. We will restructure public institutions by protecting those public officials who have not been involved in corruption or the bloodshed," the Syrian National Coalition said in its declaration.
-FMs of Group of Friends of Syria issue joint statement following Saturday's meeting
Foreign Ministers and senior officials from Turkey, United States, Britain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany and France attended the meeting.
Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement following Saturday's meeting.
We have taken a decision to increase and deepen support to the Syrian opposition, the statement said.
"The ministers pledged to provide all military assistance through the High Military Council operating as part of the Syrian National Coalition," the statement underlined.
We will make additional statements on broadening the scope of our assistance if the Syrian regime rejects the opportunity for a political solution, the statement also said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces made a call on the international community to place pressure on the Assad regime to end attacks made with ballistic missiles as well as chemical weapons.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will meet with his US counterpart John Kerry in Istanbul on Sunday.
Davutoglu and Kerry are expected to discuss regional security issues.
On Sunday, Kerry will also meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visit Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.
John Kerry attended the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Group of Friends of Syria in Istanbul on Saturday.
FMs of Group of Friends of Syria convene in Istanbul Anadolu Agency
