We are ready to take all measures to protect Syrians

WASHINGTON

Turkey's National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz on Monday said that Turkey was ready to take all necessary measures to protect Syrians in Turkey if there was a threat to their lives.

Speaking at a dinner hosted as part of the 31st annual conference of the American Turkish Council in Washington on Monday, Ismet Yilmaz said that the international community had to act in such a way so as to end violence in Syria.
Giving more time to Bashar al-Assad will result in the death of more innocent humans, Yilmaz stressed.
Touching on Turkey-USA relations, Yilmaz said that the two countries shared strong relations and that the two countries worked to reach common goals such as freedom and peace in the world.
Turkey and the United States have multi-dimensional relations and share values such as democracy, freedom, human rights and free market economy, Yilmaz stated.
Turkey follows the "peace at home, peace in the world" principle of Ataturk and so does the United States, Yilmaz noted.
The military field happens to be an important pillar of bilateral relations with the United States. The alliance between Turkey and the United States have been proven by close cooperation in NATO and the United Nations, Yilmaz indicated.
Our two countries have common concerns as two countries targeted by terrorist organizations. Cooperation between Turkey and the United States is crucial to eradicate terrorism. We are pleased with the support we get from the United States in counter-terrorism, Yilmaz said.
On Syria, Yilmaz said that this issue was one that Turkey considered as very sensitive.
The Assad regime has lost legitimacy and Kofi Annan's efforts have failed. The international community must now work to end violence in Syria. We need to act fast and together, Yilmaz noted.
Giving more time to Assad will result in the killing of more innocent humans. The international community must do more to isolate the Assad regime, Yilmaz said.
On Turkey's defense industry, Yilmaz said that this industry developed rapidly each passing day.
Commerce between Turkey and the United States in the defense field is highly promising, Yilmaz also said.
In his speech, Yilmaz provided information on defense cooperation and defense projects between Turkey and the United States.
Meanwhile, speaking at a panel discussion as part of the 31st annual conference of the American Turkish Council in Washington, a high level security expert from the U.S. Department of Defense, Joseph McMillan, said that the U.S. was committed to help Turkey in counter-terrorism by providing the necessary equipments and capability.
McMillan stressed that the PKK was a terrorist organization not representing the legitimate political struggle of the Kurdish people.