GAZIANTEP
Turkey's prime minister said on Sunday that he was still hopeful that Syria would abide by conditions of UN-Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan's six-point plan.
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was still hopeful that Syria would abide by the Annan plan, but his fades were being faded by sorrowful news coming from that country.
"Only abiding by Annan plan will not bring peace. Ending bombing innocent people, children and women by heavy weapons can only be the first stage in solution of the problem," Erdogan told a press conference in the southeastern province of Gaziantep before he left for Slovenia.
Erdogan's remarks came after he visited a camp where Syrian citizens were staying in the southeastern province of Kilis.
Premier Erdogan said Syria should immediately launch a reform process that took into consideration demands of its people, that was based on parliamentary and constitutional system and that broadened freedoms.
"Moreover, demands of opponents should be taken into consideration, and groundwork should be laid for humanitarian aid and damage assessment initiatives in Syrian cities," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said Turkey was providing temporary shelter for Syrians who crossed into its territories within the framework of international law, and the country was in close cooperation with the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
"40,807 Syrians crossed into Turkey since April 2011 and 17,796 of them voluntarily returned to their country," he said.
Turkey hopes Turkey-France relations will be better in new era in France
Erdogan expressed hope on Sunday that Turkey-France relations would be better in the new era that began after Sunday's presidential election in France.
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Nicolas Sarzoky had promised to quit politics if he lost the election, and noted that Sarkozy would most probably be on holiday from now on.
"Turkey-France relations should be better, based on peace, solidarity and sensitivity in this new era in France," Erdogan held a press conference in the southeastern province of Gaziantep before he left for Slovenia.
Erdogan said if populist messages in election campaigns were reflected on implementations of the new administration in France, it would have a negative impact on Turkey-France relations.
