IRBIL
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with the leader of the regional administration in north of Iraq, Massoud Barzani in Irbil.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Barzani,Davutoglu said that "Turkey's expectations were very clear".
We shared with Barzani our thoughts on the region, our vision and our concerns, Davutoglu stated.
The regional administration in north of Iraq received our message, Davutoglu stressed.
"We have conveyed Turkey's expectations to the Barzani administration very clearly. We held talks with the regional administration on Syria and counter-terrorism. Turkey's expectations are very clear. We shared with them our thoughts on the region, our vision and our concerns. We have a common understanding on the steps to be taken jointly. We also shared our concerns for the future. The regional administration received our message," Davutoglu also said.
Minister Davutoglu will continue talks in Irbil on Thursday.
Joint declaration of Davutoglu and Barzani
Davutoglu and Barzani: Situation in Syria is grave
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu and Masoud Barzani, leader of the regional administration in north of Iraq, issued a joint declaration after their meeting in Irbil on Wednesday.
According to the written statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Davutoglu and Barzani held productive meetings in Irbil about bilateral relations, regional problems and discussed the Syria crisis.
According to the statement, Davutoglu and Barzani clarified their satisfaction over the relations and agreed to expand them in all fields, particularly in the fields of economic development and energy.
According to statement Davutoglu and Barzani discussed the situation in Syria. "They emphasized that the situation in Syria is grave. Syrian people continue to suffer. Loss of life and destruction are at unprecedented levels. They underlined that the actions of the Syrian regime and its policy to provoke sectarian and ethnic conflict within the country will further deteriorate the situation. The developments in Syria also pose a threat to regional security and stability. This situation is unacceptable by all standards," the statement said.
Moreover, both Davutoglu and Barzani shared the same opinions for the future of Syria, it said. "They emphasized their commitment to a swift peaceful political transition in Syria. They reiterated that the future of Syria should only be determined by the free will of the Syrian people. They agreed to cooperate and coordinate their efforts with a view to helping Syrian people to achieve their legitimate aspirations for a democratic, free and pluralistic Syria where all citizens will enjoy equal rights and freedoms. In the new Syria, all ethnic, religious or sectarian identities should be respected and their rights should be guaranteed and protected."
Davutoglu and Barzani expressed their concerns about the chaos in Syria. "They also emphasized that any attempt to exploit the power vacuum by any violent group or organization will be considered as a common threat, which should be jointly addressed. The new Syria should be free of any terrorist and extremist group or organization. They agreed to continue their consultations and cooperation in the interests of peace and stability in the region," the statement said.
