Davutoğlu says Paris meeting to meet Libya’s technical needs

Davutoğlu told reporters during a joint news conference with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Baconschi in Bucharest that he traveled to Benghazi on the day when rebels entered into capital Tripoli and had talks with many of his counterparts from other countries to arrange a meeting in İstanbul last Thursday to discuss further steps for Libya.

He said Libya Contact Group countries decided in İstanbul to hold another meeting in Paris to take steps in some of important issues of which technical preparations are already completed.

Turkish foreign minister said one of them is the recognition of the National Transition Council (NTC) by the entire world, adding that if confirmed in Paris, the NTC will be able to represent Libya with its new flag at the United Nations in September.

Davutoğlu said another important step that is expected to be overcome in Paris meeting is a desparate need of Libyans for financial resources. He said he traveled to rebel stronghold Benghazi twice in a month and that he had witnessed the living conditions of the Libyan people. Recalling that Turkey had already donated $100 million and promised $200 million more to the rebels, Davutoğlu said the UN and the US also earlier decided to unfreeze $1.5 billion of Libyan funds.

Davutoğlu, who is currently in Paris, also reiterated that NATO’s mission to protect civilians in Libya must continue and its future role must be decided only by the Libyan people.

Turkish-Romanian bilateral relations

Turkish foreign minister told the news conference that he had productive talks with his Romanian counterpart, stressing that Romania is both Turkey’s neighbor, ally and an important partner for Turkey.

Noting that the political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries are excellent, Davutoğlu said both countries mull signing strategic partnership declaration by the scheduled visit of Romania’s president to Turkey.         

According to Davutoğlu, Turkey and Romania, already showing signs of accelaration in mutual trade, are planning to reach $10 billion trade volume in the near future.

Baconschi said Romania is supporting Turkey’s European Union membership and that the two countries hold consultations in many affairs.