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World Bulletin, Turkey
April 11 2014
Turkey's FM warns of 'domino effect' of Ukraine crisis
Turkey does not want Ukraine instability to start a domino effect in
and around the Black Sea, Ahmet Davutoglu said.
World Bulletin / News Desk
Turkey's foreign minister has warned that Russia's unilateral
annexation of Crimea may lead to a domino effect in and around the
Black Sea and neighboring regions of Turkey.
Speaking on a visit to Japan, Ahmet Davutoglu said: "Our concern is
not only Ukraine. If this trend starts, which acts against territorial
integrity, there are many other frozen conflicts like Trans-Dniester,
Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh."
Speaking to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, Davutoglu said Turkey respects
the territorial integrity of Ukraine, internationally recognized and
endorsed by the U.N. and does not recognize the annexation of Crimea
by Russia.
Asked about his views on Russia demanding a federal state in Ukraine,
he said: "Any administrative issue should be discussed within Ukraine
by the Ukrainians."
Russia has said Ukraine should reform itself into a federation, but
the Kiev government has refused.
On speculations that Russia might stop its gas flow to Ukraine and
whether it would effect Turkey, Davutoglu said Turkey's energy
agreements with Russia are clear and have been continuing for many
years without any problems.
>From April 1, Russia increased the price of gas for Ukraine to US$485
per barrel from US$268.59, an act Ukraine's government called 'a
declaration of economic war.'
During the 2009 Ukrainian gas crisis, the flow of Russian gas via
Ukraine to Turkey had stopped.
"We have already decided to diversify both energy resources and
different routes, and the nuclear plants we are building with Japan
and Russia are an alternative source of energy...Concerning this
particular issue, we do not expect a crisis, as there are clear
agreements between Turkey and Russia."
Syria crisis
Responding to a question about whether stepping up military aid to the
Syrian opposition was an option he said: "Of course, as the regime is
opting to increase military pressure; these are the people of Syria
and they need to be supported."
He also warned that in case of any threat to the Suleyman Shah Tomb in
Syria - Turkey's only exclave - Turkey would take all measures.
Protected by Turkish troops, the tomb and the surrounding area are
located in Aleppo's Manbij district, approximately 30km from the
Turkish border.
April 11 2014
Turkey's FM warns of 'domino effect' of Ukraine crisis
Turkey does not want Ukraine instability to start a domino effect in
and around the Black Sea, Ahmet Davutoglu said.
World Bulletin / News Desk
Turkey's foreign minister has warned that Russia's unilateral
annexation of Crimea may lead to a domino effect in and around the
Black Sea and neighboring regions of Turkey.
Speaking on a visit to Japan, Ahmet Davutoglu said: "Our concern is
not only Ukraine. If this trend starts, which acts against territorial
integrity, there are many other frozen conflicts like Trans-Dniester,
Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh."
Speaking to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, Davutoglu said Turkey respects
the territorial integrity of Ukraine, internationally recognized and
endorsed by the U.N. and does not recognize the annexation of Crimea
by Russia.
Asked about his views on Russia demanding a federal state in Ukraine,
he said: "Any administrative issue should be discussed within Ukraine
by the Ukrainians."
Russia has said Ukraine should reform itself into a federation, but
the Kiev government has refused.
On speculations that Russia might stop its gas flow to Ukraine and
whether it would effect Turkey, Davutoglu said Turkey's energy
agreements with Russia are clear and have been continuing for many
years without any problems.
>From April 1, Russia increased the price of gas for Ukraine to US$485
per barrel from US$268.59, an act Ukraine's government called 'a
declaration of economic war.'
During the 2009 Ukrainian gas crisis, the flow of Russian gas via
Ukraine to Turkey had stopped.
"We have already decided to diversify both energy resources and
different routes, and the nuclear plants we are building with Japan
and Russia are an alternative source of energy...Concerning this
particular issue, we do not expect a crisis, as there are clear
agreements between Turkey and Russia."
Syria crisis
Responding to a question about whether stepping up military aid to the
Syrian opposition was an option he said: "Of course, as the regime is
opting to increase military pressure; these are the people of Syria
and they need to be supported."
He also warned that in case of any threat to the Suleyman Shah Tomb in
Syria - Turkey's only exclave - Turkey would take all measures.
Protected by Turkish troops, the tomb and the surrounding area are
located in Aleppo's Manbij district, approximately 30km from the
Turkish border.