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Turkey weighs into the debate: Sending delegations to both countries
Arab peoples' demands need be heard, says Turkish minister
Arab peoples' demands need be heard, says Turkish minister
2011-01-28 21:40:00
Istanbul, Jan 28 (DPA) Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the demands of citizens throughout the Middle East for democratic freedoms need to be addressed, the semi-official Anatolia Agency reported Friday.
'With the spread of communication, societies' rightful demands for democratic freedom, good governance, transparency and the fight against corruption are intensifying,' Davutoglu said at a press conference in Istanbul before departing for Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
'These demands are justified and cannot be ignored in contemporary societies,' he added.
'What's important is for these demands to be addressed in the political arena and without leading to interference in these countries' political course overall,' Davutoglu said.
While Davutoglu did not comment specifically on protests currently taking place in Egypt against the government, he mentioned the recent overthrow of the government of Tunisia and political upheaval in Lebanon, saying Turkey is closely watching developments in the region.
Turkey has taken an increasingly active foreign policy role towards Arab countries. Davutoglu participated in recent negotiations in Lebanon to help solve the country's political crisis and said Friday that Turkey might also send a delegation to Tunisia.
Arab peoples' demands need be heard, says Turkish minister
2011-01-28 21:40:00
Istanbul, Jan 28 (DPA) Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the demands of citizens throughout the Middle East for democratic freedoms need to be addressed, the semi-official Anatolia Agency reported Friday.
'With the spread of communication, societies' rightful demands for democratic freedom, good governance, transparency and the fight against corruption are intensifying,' Davutoglu said at a press conference in Istanbul before departing for Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
'These demands are justified and cannot be ignored in contemporary societies,' he added.
'What's important is for these demands to be addressed in the political arena and without leading to interference in these countries' political course overall,' Davutoglu said.
While Davutoglu did not comment specifically on protests currently taking place in Egypt against the government, he mentioned the recent overthrow of the government of Tunisia and political upheaval in Lebanon, saying Turkey is closely watching developments in the region.
Turkey has taken an increasingly active foreign policy role towards Arab countries. Davutoglu participated in recent negotiations in Lebanon to help solve the country's political crisis and said Friday that Turkey might also send a delegation to Tunisia.
Turkey Says Supports Tunisian's Demand for Democracy
Turkey Says Supports Tunisian's Demand for Democracy
Turkish Foreign Ministry said Friday that Turkey supports Tunisian people's demand for a more democratic society.
Turkey has been monitoring developments in Tunisia and hopes the transition period in the country would end by democratic and pluralist means respecting human rights, the ministry said in a statement.
Turkey feels deep sorrow over incidents that took place in Tunisia and hopes that security would be ensured in the country as soon as possible, the statement said.
The Tunisian government, once regarded as one of the Middle East's most stable, was overthrown earlier this month after mass protests against the government over unemployment, price hike and corruption. The protests forced President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14.
Turkey Says Supports Tunisian's Demand for Democracy
Turkish Foreign Ministry said Friday that Turkey supports Tunisian people's demand for a more democratic society.
Turkey has been monitoring developments in Tunisia and hopes the transition period in the country would end by democratic and pluralist means respecting human rights, the ministry said in a statement.
Turkey feels deep sorrow over incidents that took place in Tunisia and hopes that security would be ensured in the country as soon as possible, the statement said.
The Tunisian government, once regarded as one of the Middle East's most stable, was overthrown earlier this month after mass protests against the government over unemployment, price hike and corruption. The protests forced President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14.
Arab world’s fair demands cannot be ignored, says Turkish FM
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
Friday, January 28, 2011
Governments in the Arab world facing daily protests should focus on listening to their citizens and fulfilling their demands, Turkey's foreign minister said Friday before departing for Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“With the spread of communication, societies’ demands for democratic freedom, good governance and transparency are intensifying. No society can remain outside these developments,” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told a news conference before departing.
In Tunisia, the government, once regarded as one of the Middle East’s most stable, was overthrown after widespread protests and street violence forced President Zin El Abidin Ben Ali to flee the country after 23 years in power. The revolt in Tunisia has inspired countries across the Middle East and North Africa, with nationwide demonstrations in Egypt swelling into the largest uprising in three decades, sending shockwaves across the region.
The Turkish foreign minister announced that a delegation from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, led by the deputy undersecretary, is expected to visit Tunisia soon, adding that Turkey would continue exerting efforts and repeating that “fair demands cannot be ignored.”
Diplomatic traffic over Lebanon crisis
The foreign minister said Turkey was closely following the developments in Lebanon. “We worked hard to prevent the fighting between brothers in Lebanon,” Davutoğlu said, adding that significant progress has been made and violence was being prevented.
“The political process is proceeding within the constitutional framework.”
Davutoğlu said he had telephone conversations Thursday with new Lebanese prime minister Najib Miqati, as well as outgoing prime minister Saad Hariri, in addition to a telephone conversation with the prime minister of Qatar. “We did our best for the events not to turn into a sectarian clash,” Davutoğlu said.
© 2009 Hurriyet Daily News
URL: Arab world's fair demands cannot be ignored, says Turkish FM - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
Friday, January 28, 2011
Governments in the Arab world facing daily protests should focus on listening to their citizens and fulfilling their demands, Turkey's foreign minister said Friday before departing for Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“With the spread of communication, societies’ demands for democratic freedom, good governance and transparency are intensifying. No society can remain outside these developments,” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told a news conference before departing.
In Tunisia, the government, once regarded as one of the Middle East’s most stable, was overthrown after widespread protests and street violence forced President Zin El Abidin Ben Ali to flee the country after 23 years in power. The revolt in Tunisia has inspired countries across the Middle East and North Africa, with nationwide demonstrations in Egypt swelling into the largest uprising in three decades, sending shockwaves across the region.
The Turkish foreign minister announced that a delegation from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, led by the deputy undersecretary, is expected to visit Tunisia soon, adding that Turkey would continue exerting efforts and repeating that “fair demands cannot be ignored.”
Diplomatic traffic over Lebanon crisis
The foreign minister said Turkey was closely following the developments in Lebanon. “We worked hard to prevent the fighting between brothers in Lebanon,” Davutoğlu said, adding that significant progress has been made and violence was being prevented.
“The political process is proceeding within the constitutional framework.”
Davutoğlu said he had telephone conversations Thursday with new Lebanese prime minister Najib Miqati, as well as outgoing prime minister Saad Hariri, in addition to a telephone conversation with the prime minister of Qatar. “We did our best for the events not to turn into a sectarian clash,” Davutoğlu said.
© 2009 Hurriyet Daily News
URL: Arab world's fair demands cannot be ignored, says Turkish FM - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review