Ankara highlights ‘territorial integrity’ of Mali

ANKARA

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. AA Photo

Turkey has voiced concern over spread of the clashes in northern Mali to the south of the country, while highlighting the importance it attaches to the territorial integrity of the country.

“We would like to once more underline the importance that Turkey attaches to Mali’s territorial integrity,” the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement released late Jan. 17, adding that Ankara was closely following developments in Mali.

Turkey pledged to continue supporting international efforts for the building of national reconciliation and a democratic environment through free elections.

Furthermore, it urged for rapid implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2085, which dealt with the situation in Mali and lent support to decisions made by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

With resolution 2085, adopted in December last year, the Council authorized the deployment of an international military force, the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), for an initial period of one year.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu held a telephone conversation with the secretary-general of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, on Jan. 17, to discuss possible initiatives that could be taken for Mali by the organization.