ANKARA
Spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Selcuk Unal said Turkey watches the developments in Mali closely yet with concern adding that Turkey had always been pro-dialog and pro-diplomacy.
Talking to a press conference at the ministry, Unal said Turkey respects the territorial integrity and political stability of Mali.
On a question whether Turkey supports France's military intervention in Mali, Unal said Turkey watches the developments in Mali closely yet with concern. Saying that Turkey had always been pro-dialog and pro-diplomacy, he added they did not prefer unilateral actions and operations.
Unal reminded that Turkey issued a travel warning for Mali and added Turkish embassy in Mali was in contact with Turkish citizens in there and they were all safe.
Unal also said they condemned the attack on a deputy in Fallujah province of Iraq on Tuesday.
On the upcoming agenda of the MFA, Unal said Turkey would host the first 2013 meeting of the Somali Core Group, which was established in early 2012, on January 18 in Ankara.
He said Davutoglu would leave for Brussels in January 22 and attend the meeting of ministers among Turkey and Belgium.
On the latest developments in Pakistan, Unal said they watch the incidents closely along with the developments of the domestic policy in Pakistan since they value the peace and stability of Pakistan.
Regarding the Washington visit of the Undersecretary of the Turkish MFA, Feridun Sinirlioglu, Unal said Sinirlioglu met with Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, his deputies and the special representative for energy works so far. He said the visit was more of a political consultation meeting on bilateral relations of Turkey and the US as well as the developments in the world.
Humanitarian assistance to Armenians in Syria
Selcuk Unal said Wednesday that Turkey was providing every kind of easiness to Armenia which was sending humanitarian aid to Armenians in Syria.
Unal told reporters that it was a tradition for Turkey to extend a helping hand to people in need without making discrimination of religion, language, race or ethnical origin.
Turkey is hosting more than 150,000 Syrians who had to leave their country due to clashes, he added.
Also, many Armenians, who escaped from Syria, reached Armenia via Turkey, said Unal.
