The Minister of External Relations of Brazil, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Carl Bildt, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, met in Izmir on January 5, 2013

Representing three countries which are committed to play increasingly active roles in their respective regions as well as globally, the Ministers underlined their desire to deepen their coordination on a range of challenges that currently test the international community.

The Ministers in this regard observed that the international stage is currently characterized by a host of key changes and challenges that affect us all. They drew attention in particular to developments in the Middle East including the Arab awakening and the question of Palestine, the global economic crisis with its political ramifications, as well as other global issues such as terrorism, poverty eradication, climate change, internet freedom and nuclear proliferation.

Agreeing that all these issues require immediate attention and collective response by the international community, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and expressed their determination to empower diplomacy, through genuine cooperation and dialogue, with a view to promoting sustainable development, peace, security, democracy and human rights.

The Ministers, in this context, noting the strength they draw from their respective democracies, robust economies, geographical locations, regional engagement and global outreach, agreed to act in solidarity to build peace and promote common values. They reaffirmed that the geographical distance among their countries is shortened in light of the closeness of their ideas, views and aspirations.

To this end, the Ministers decided to hold regular consultations that will bring them or their designated officials together to exchange views and harness efforts to help deliver progress on issues where their collective engagement can make a difference.