"International community should approach more sensitively toward human tragedy in Syria"

After the joint press conference he held along with President Yayi of Benin, President Gül responded to queries from the press as to Turkey’s policy toward Syria, Turkish-French bilateral relations and Turkey’s Policy of Opening up to Africa.

President Abdullah Gül answered the questions from the press regarding the agenda after the joint press conference he held along with President Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin.

TURKISH JET SHOT DOWN BY SYRIA

President Gül, when asked what tangible information he has as to how the Turkish jet was shot down by Syria, reiterated that Turkish officials’ statements about the issue are consistent, but he added after the wreckage was thoroughly examined, a final statement will be made as to how it was dropped.

TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS

In response to another query about how and to what extent Turkish-French bilateral relations could be affected by the allegation that President Hollande of France will try to pass a draft law that will criminalize the denial of the so-called Armenian genocide in the French Parliament although the one submitted to the parliament by former President Sarkozy was overruled by the French Constitutional Council, President Gül recalled that during his tete-a-tete with his French counterpart, they had agreed to leave the past in the past and to carry the current relations into the future more strongly, adding that they will wait and see.

TURKEY’S POLICY TOWARD AFRICA

When a reporter asked why Turkey chose Benin as her partner, President Gül said Turkey’s approach toward Africa is about understanding and doing whatever it can to overcome the continent’s existing problems, proclaiming this policy to be one based on sincerity, mutual interests and helping each other, referring to President Yayi’s statement to him who said: ‘Our relations should be conducted through both countries not through France from now on.”

Turkey, he promulgated, attaches great importance to her relations with Benin, which he said enjoys a democratic and pluralistic system.

HUMAN TRAGEDY IN SYRIA

The President further commented on the current bilateral relations between Turkey and Syria, saying that there is no antagonism and clash of interests between the two countries. “If a country is employing its army to put down the legitimate demands of its people, it loses its legitimacy. Turkey is pursuing its policy toward Syria with this very sensitivity. I hope the whole world will act with the same sensitivity as well. I would like to call on the international community to act like this in face of the ongoing human tragedy in Syria.”

President Gül further reiterated the importance of the implementation of the Annan Plan regarding the issue and underscored that what has to be done is that they all should stand by the Syrian people and help end this relentless process in this country.

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