...

Iraq is not Turkey’s alternative partner to Syria

Türkiye Materials 6 December 2011 20:24 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 6 / Trend A. Tagiyeva /

The continuing riots in Syria will hit the Turkish economy first, so that is why Ankara is trying to solve the Syrian crisis, analyst for Middle East Policy Ismail Yasha said.

"Turkey will not allow instability to continue in Syria," he told Trend over phone. "If President Assad leaves, Ankara will monitor the situation in this country to prevent chaos."

He said on the other hand, the situation in Iraq cannot be called stable. Iraq cannot become an alternative partner of Turkey as the use of Iraqi territory for transit is not profitable. He said his country is trying to improve relations with the Syrian opposition and hopes for further cooperation with Damascus if power changes in the country.

Ankara imposed several economic sanctions against Syria. They include the freezing of strategic cooperation and a ban for representatives of the Syrian administration and businessmen who have committed crimes to enter the country. Sanctions also include the termination of cooperation with the Syrian Central Bank, the freezing of financial assets of Bashar Assad and members of the government and a ban on arms' supplies to Syria from third countries via Turkey.

Earlier, Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said that if cooperation with Syria is terminated, Turkey will make transit transportation through Iraq and can also use the Suez Canal for shipping.

The Syrian anti-government demonstrations have been taking place for nine months.

Tags:
Latest

Latest