Davutoglu: "Regional administration in Northern Iraq receives our message"

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday traveled to Arbil along with Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Omer Celik and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu to hold contacts with officials from the Kurdish regional administration in northern Iraq. After being welcomed by Turkish Ambassador to Damascus Omer Onhon and Prime Minister of the Kurdish administration in northern Iraq Nechirvan Barzani at the airport, Davutoglu proceeded to the office of Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, where he was received by him at the door. Speaking to reporters after meeting with Barzani, Davutoglu said that they shared with Barzani Turkey's thoughts on the region, as well as its vision and concerns, and that the regional administration in north of Iraq received Turkey's message. A joint declaration was also issued after the meeting, stating that Davutoglu and Barzani held a productive meeting in Arbil about bilateral relations, regional problems and the Syria crisis and clarified their satisfaction over the relations and agreed to expand them in all fields, particularly in the fields of economic development and energy.  "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, adding, "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." Prior to his departure to Arbil, Davutoglu held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and discussed the latest situation in Syria. As part of his diplomatic contacts, Davutoglu also talked to Iraqi National Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi and Iraqi Finance Minister Rafi Hiyad al-Issawi on the phone to discuss recent developments in Iraq.