Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu delivered a speech at the Mersin session of the Sixth Ambassadors Conference on January 18, 2014.

Stating that Mersin should be considered as a port that connects Eurasia to Africa, Black Sea to Mediterranean and Suez, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that in this respect the city has a great potential. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu explained that when Turkey throws its weight around world’s political economy as a rising power, this has a reflection in all areas and added that in parallel, Mersin is on the verge of a significant leap.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “Northern Mediterranean will be developed, while Southern Mediterranean, Northern Africa and its east will be in crises. These two worlds cannot inhabit next to each other. We belong to both these worlds; therefore, lasting peace cannot be established unless our views are taken into account. While there is a belt which is going through economic crises in Europe, in the North of Mediterranean, in the Mediterranean and while Southern Mediterranean is going through a great transition, political perspective put forward by Turkey carries great importance in itself.” Foreign Minister Davutoğlu maintained that if a peace basin will be established eventually in the Mediterranean, Turkey is the country which will benefit most from this.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu emphasized that on the Cyprus question, no one doubts the good intentioned efforts of the Turkish side. Stating that it is required that lasting peace should be ensured and the detrimental status quo should be ended, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said if there is a lack of political will in Greek Cypriots, alternative ways should be considered as well.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that the water project which will connect the Anatolia to the Cyprus permanently will also be realized.