Davutoğlu urges Assad to commence dialogue

BONN - Anatolia News Agency

Demonstrators protesting against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad gather during a march through the streets after Friday prayers in Idlb. REUTERS photo

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Syria should open doors to its own people, instead of closing consulate generals.

Davutoğlu said it was Syria’s own decision to close its consulate general in the Turkish southeastern province of Gaziantep. “However, it would be a wiser thing for Syria to open its heart, mentality and doors to its own people instead of closing consulate generals,” Davutoğlu told a joint press conference, alongside his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle in Bonn.

 Davutoğlu said Turkey’s stance on Syria was clear and definite. “Unfortunately Syrian administration ignored concerns and demands of Turkey, the Arab League and the international community and insisted on putting pressure on its own people,” Davutoğlu said.

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad criticized Turkey. “Turkey cannot impose anything on Syria’s future. Our struggle is with the West, Turkey is not the most powerful country in the region as it is seen,” al-Assad said in a Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar report. He also said the sanctions will not affect Syria and the leaders who turned their back on Syria will eventually apologize to Syria.