Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, received Moaz Al Khatib, President of the Syrian National Coalition, and his delegation in Istanbul on April 17, 2013. Meeting at Istanbul Çırağan Palace prior to the Ministerial Meeting which will take place in the framework of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People on the weekend in Istanbul, H.E. Davutoğlu and President Al Khatib discussed the situation in Syria and the steps to be taken in the period ahead.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu expressed Turkey’s steadfast support for the Syrian people and the Syrian National Coalition, which Turkey recognizes as Syrian people’s legitimate representative. He also noted that Turkey with the international community will continue to make every effort to stop the bloodshed and to usher a new era in Syria in accordance with the will of the Syrian people.

Thanking Turkey for her continuous support of the Syrian people, President Al Khatip pointed out that a significant part of the international community has failed to respond adequately to the ongoing human drama in Syria. He expressed the expectation from the international community to take a clear stand now on Syria and to provide the Syrian people with necessary support in their struggle. Khatip said that he’ll openly share these views with the officials who will attend the Foreign Ministers’ meeting to be held in Istanbul this weekend.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu praised the noble struggle of the Syrian people during past the two years and called on the Syrian opposition inside and outside of the country to continue their determined stance in solidarity.