With a view to contributing to the coordination of efforts of the international community to support the people of Syria and to enable the establishment of peace and stability in this country as soon as possible as well as taking concrete steps, a meeting at the level of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of some member countries of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People was hosted by Turkey in Istanbul on 20 April 2013.

Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and senior officials of the USA, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Italy, Germany and France, as well as the representatives of the Syrian National Coalition participated in the meeting. At the meeting held in two sessions, first Foreign Ministers had discussions among themselves and then met with Mr. Muaz Al Khatip, President of Syrian National Coalition as well as other Syrian representatives.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu thanked the participant Foreign Ministers for attending the meeting at a very short notice, speaking at the joint press conference held with U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry and President of Syrian National Coalition, Mr. Muaz Al Khatip.

Pointing the joint statement of the participant countries Foreign Minister Davutoğlu underlined that the statement, different than the previous chairman’s statements reflects the joint position of the eleven countries. “What is important is that eleven countries voiced their support for Syrian National Coalition in a decisive manner and displayed their political will to make every effort for ending the bloodshed from now on” said Foreign Minister Davutoğlu emphasized that participant countries call upon international community and all relevant parties to struggle for ending the bloodshed in Syria as soon as possible.

Moreover Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that Syrian National Coalition puts forward its vision for the future of Syria with a declaration. Mentioning that the participant countries also approve the elements of the declaration and will follow up these elements Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “We all hope for a new Syrian political system founded by independent, free, sovereign and equal citizens who govern their countries with their own will.”

“We all ask for a political transition process which is accepted by the Syrian people. On the other hand, the eleven countries are determined to act together in case of political risks which would arise as a consequence of delay in this political process. We agreed to prevent these risks to victimize the Syrian people anymore and to harm regional stability” emphasized Foreign Minister Davutoğlu.

Joint Statement of the Participating Countries in the Istanbul Meeting on Syria, 20 April 2013

Declaration by the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 20 Nisan 2013