Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Davutoglu pays a visit to Rome to attend the meeting of “Friends of Syrian People” as well as the “Transatlantic Dinner”. As part of his visit, Foreign Minister Davutoglu had a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on 27 February 2013.

Foreign Minister Davutoglu said that deployment of the patriot air systems in Turkey was an important and good example for the solidarity within the Alliance and thanked Secretary General Rasmussen for his support in this regard.

Upon the question of Secretary General Rasmussen about the current situation in Syria, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu shared information about the humanitarian situation in Syria and the camps in Turkey. Expressing the deep disappointment and the need of assistance of the Syrian people, he emphasized that the international community should adopt a more effective stance in dealing with the situation in Syria. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointed out that with a view to improving the humanitarian conditions, the UN Security Council should take steps to ensure access of humanitarian aid to those in need. He said that continuation of the current situation could also endanger the whole region.

Moreover, it was agreed to begin preparations for the visit of the Secretary General Rasmussen to Turkey in the near future.