Turkey will not change Somalia policy after attacks on Turkish embassy

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday Turkey would not change its policy towards Somalia following attacks on a Turkish Embassy annex in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu, which killed one Turkish security guard leaving several others injured on Saturday. Following his visit to the wounded police guards at an Ankara hospital, Davutoglu said Turkey stood by Somalia carrying out  "great projects"  to help Somalian people in the past two years.  "Turkey has offered humanitarian help to Somalia worth more than $200 million to help it develop cooperating with many non-governmental organizations," said Davutoglu. " If life has got back to normal  today in Somalia, political process has begun to serve its purpose and Turkey has played an important role in this process. Turkey has helped Somalia for humanitarian values. We have made great sacrifices to help them and to reinforce our friendship and these sacrifices were appreciated by the international community." Davutoglu said Turkey would not give up helping Somalia, adding it was not possible to dissuade it from fulfilling its goals towards its African policy.  He extended his condolences to the family of the Turkish security guard and wished a quick recovery to all those injured. Davutoglu stated Monday that Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of the regional administration in north of Iraq, wouldl be paying a visit to Turkey in order to discuss latest developments in the region.

"Developments in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria happen very fast. So, there are needs of holding these consultations in ordered frequent intervals," said Davutoglu in regards to Barzani's Turkey visit.

Following his visit to the wounded police guards at an Ankara hospital, Davutoglu replied the questions of reporters about Nechirvan Barzani's Turkey visit which he explained that Prime Minister Barzani would be heading to Ankara on Tuesday to hold talks with himself at a fast breaking meal.

He noted that Barzani would come together with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the following day and continue with his talks in Turkey. "Developments in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria happen very fast. So, there are needs of holding these consultations in ordered frequent intervals. Nechirvan Barzani paid a visit to Turkey a few months ago anyways. By this means, they will pay a visit in order to assess the latest developments. We will cover developments from both Iraq and also revise our bilateral relations with the regional administration in north of Iraq. We will also counsel over the developments from Syria. Because these issues are closely related to all actors in the region," said Davutoglu.

-"We would not make ethnic, sect and religious discrimination the principle of our policy"-

Davutoglu emphasized there was no room for ethnic, sectarian and religious discrimination in Turkey's regional policy and said, "We would not make ethnic, sectarian and religious discrimination the principle of our policy in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon or any other Middle Eastern state. We would not take a stand against any ethnic group, religion or sect."

Stating that it was their priority for all groups to have equal citizenship rights and live in peace, Davutoglu said, "Turkey doesn't have any hesistation in regards to the rights of any ethnic group or sect. On the contrary, it is our fundamental principle that all parties have equal say in determining their future in Syria."

Seeing all political sides under the same roof when forming Syria's future has been one of Turkey's main principles, he added. 

Davutoglu also touched on the meeting to be held with Nechirvan Barzani that will cover the recent developments in Iraq, in its critical election process.

Asked about the latest political crisis in Egypt, Davutoglu said that Turkey wanted Egypt to get back to democratic process within the shortest possible time, adding Egypt was the backbone in the region and unrest would badly affect all the region. 

Turkey is exerting all the efforts to bring back democracy to Egypt, he added.