NEW YORK
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held talks with several high-ranking diplomats in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meetings.
Having a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish FM Davutoglu later had meetings with European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and Union of Comoros Foreign Minister Mohamed Beqri in New York.
Diplomatic sources said that EU High Representative Ashton gave information to Davutoglu about her meeting with Iran's Supreme National Security Council Chief Saeed Jalili previous week in Istanbul.
Ashton stated that in order to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iran issue, negotiations should continue without a pause.
During the meeting Davutoglu expressed his opinions on anti-Islam movie and Syria crisis.
Turkey-EU relations and Cyprus issue were also other topics on the top of the agenda of Davutoglu-Ashton meeting.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali conveyed issues about security in his country during his meeting with Davutoglu.
Stating that the political developments in his country were getting better, Somali PM eulogized Turkey's works in Somalia.
Meanwhile, Davutoglu told Ali that Turkey's assistance in terms of politics and developments would continue.
Davutoglu discussed with Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci the infrastructural investments, Turkey's assistance in Kosovo and bilateral relations.
On the other hand, Davutoglu signed a memorandum of understanding and an agreement with Gambia's Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad Minister Mambury Njie.
Turkish fm attends conference in New York on women's role in society
Davutoglu has attended a conference on women's role in society along with his wife Sare Davutoglu in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meetings.
Davutoglu said that "rather than bad memories, Balkan nations have been living together in peace and multiculturalism for centuries should be remembered instead regarding Balkans" at the 2012 Road Map leadership conference with the theme "Women Shaping Society" organized by the Federation of Balkan American Associations (FEBA) and the Balkan American Public Affairs Council.
Defining the Srebrenica mothers as "real heroes", Davutoglu said that women and families were the only base to preserve the culture and identity in diaspora.
Sare Davutoglu said in her speech that Balkans had a special place in Turkish people's hearts after conveying the message of Emine Erdogan, Turkish PM's wife, who could not come to New York due to the last minute cancellation of PM's visit.
Saying that Balkans were getting to be an area of peace, stability and prosperity, Mrs. Davutoglu added the importance of women getting involved actively in the political and financial transformation of the Balkans.
FEBA honored Emine Erdogan and Sare Davutoglu with 2012 Road Map special award.
On the other hand FM Davutoglu attended the "Transatlantic Dinner" hosted by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
