Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu participated in the 17th Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Algiers upon the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra.

Addressing to the participants at the general assembly, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu recalled that in Bandung principles which are basis of the Non-Aligned Movement, it is stressed that peace and security could only be secured through a strong unity of will among nations based on equality, respect and promotion of mutual values and cooperation.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu talked about Turkish foreign policy and said that Turkey employs an active, multi-dimensional foreign policy that aims to reconcile the West with the East and the North with the South. Pointing out that Turkey takes both the advantage of its geographic disposition and close historical and cultural ties across a vast landscape promoting dialogue and interaction between civilizations at the heart of Eurasia and Africa, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that initiatives of Alliance of Civilizations and Mediation for Peace are two examples of Turkey’s role in promoting and encouraging peace through greater cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect.

Emphasizing that the multi-dimensional character of Turkish foreign policy is also reflected by Turkey’s membership in a wide range of leading international and regional organizations, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “There is hardly any regional organization around the world that Turkey has not developed a substantive relationship, from ASEAN to African Union and to Organization of American States”.

Touching on Turkey’s humanitarian and development assistances, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointed out that Turkey combines humanitarian and development assistance with a holistic approach. Maintaining that Turkey is the fourth largest donor world-wide, according to the Global Humanitarian Assistance Report 2013, “As a result of its active policy in humanitarian field, Turkey will be hosting the first ever World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 in Istanbul” said Foreign Minister Davutoğlu.

Recalling Turkey’s candidature for the UN Security Council for the term 2015-2016, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that he believes that as a member of the UN Security Council, Turkey will be better equipped to bring further contribution to international peace and security as well as to cooperation and development.

As part of Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu held bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers of Iraq, Central African Republic, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Mauritania, Lesotho, Nepal, East Timor, Togo and Serbia and also President of National People’s Assembly of Algeria.

Full Text of the statement by Foreign Minister Davutoğlu at the Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement