'Syria must fulfill peace plan' says Turkey, Gulf states

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

Turkey and the Gulf Arab states urged Syrian Administration to fulfill without delay all of its commitments and obligations under the Arab League peace initiative in a joint statement on Jan. 28 at
the Turkey-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“International efforts should be focused on bringing the bloodshed in Syria to an immediate end
and paving the ground for the initiation of a political transition process in line with the legitimate
demands and aspirations of the Syrian people,” the ministers said in the joint statement.

Foreign Ministers of the six Arab Gulf states - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE - and Turkey, which have spearheaded regional condemnation of the Syrian leadership for its deadly crackdown on opponents, came together at the at the fourth meeting of foreign ministers of the Turkey-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Istanbul.

The meeting came amid a new Arab and European quest to secure United Nations action over Syria's crackdown, which was opposed by Russia.

[HH] Common approach
“The visions of Turkey and the GCC countries largely match up with each other on regional issues, we share a common approach,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said during a press conference held after the meeting. "We are adamant in turning the Middle East region into a basin for peace, stability and prosperity."

Iran’s nuclear program was also discussed during the meetings.

Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said there were big challenges in front of the Arab world, such as the secterian disturbances that the Arab states face, and Iran's nuclear program which threatens regional and global security.

“Turkey’s role in the region is very important. We have a lot of coordination. Turkey takes into consideration that their perspective doesn’t interfere with the affairs of the region internally, this is very important,” al-Fasial said.

[HH] Ministers' joint statement
A final statement was endorsed by the participating ministers of Gulf states and Turkey at the close of the meeting. The statement contained paragraphs concerning Syria, Iraq and the Arab spring countries.

“The Ministers also called upon the Syrian administration to genuinely cooperate with the Arab League in implementing the steps foreseen in the roadmap proposed by the latter,” the joint statement said.
A separate paragraph concentrated on the situation in Iraq in the joint statement.

“The Ministers affirmed their full commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq. They emphasized the importance of Iraq’s undertaking its responsibilities to enhance its unity, stability and prosperity and its role in building trust with the neighboring countries on the basis of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs”, the statement said.