NEW YORK
The director of Policy and Mediation Division of the United Nations (UN) said on Tuesday that Turkey was exerting active efforts for solution of political disputes in and beyond its region.
Levent Bilman said the first stage of six-point Annan plan regarding Syria was to end massacre, and the country was at this stage right now.
"An observer team to be sent to Syria will priorily monitor efforts to end massacre and ensure peace and order," Bilman told AA correspondent in an exclusive interview in New York.
Bilman said in case cease-fire was totally ensured in Syria, dialogue process would be launched and a political solution would be sought.
Annan's six-point peace plan includes demands for a ceasefire, the immediate withdrawal of heavy armour from residential areas and access for humanitarian aid.
On mediation initiatives, Bilman said it was so natural for Turkey to take active role in mediation because it was exerting active efforts in settlement of political disputes in, around and beyond its region.
Bilman said the UN appreciated and closely monitored Turkey's efforts, and establishment of a UN operations center in Turkey was one of Turkey's proposals.
"Turkey's Permanent Representation to the UN carries out initiatives regarding this issue," Bilman said.
Bilman expressed hope that a center could be set up in Istanbul.
Moreover, the number of Turks working in the UN had dropped in the last decade
(Reporting by Ozlem Sahin Sakar)
