Yemeni PM praises Turkey as regional power

Yemen's Prime Minister Muhammad Salim Ba-Sindwah has said that Yemen is proud of Turkey as a regional partner, expressing hope that Turkey will also be an international power in the near future, the Anatolia news agency reported on Sunday.

Speaking at the Turkey-Yemen Business Forum in Sana'a on Sunday, Sindwah thanked Turkey for its stance on the Arab Spring revolutions, saying that Turkey has treated at least 150 Yemeni citizens, sent two ambulances to Yemen for use in the country and committed to setting up a field hospital.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, who also attended the forum, said that high-level political dialogue between Turkey and Yemen would continue, adding that Turkey would do its best to contribute to the restoration the political stability of Yemen. Davutoğlu called on Turkish businesspeople to make investments in Yemen and also said that all doors were open for Yemeni businesspeople in Turkey.

Both officials were present at the inauguration of the Turkish International School in Yemen. Sindwah expressed hope that Yemeni schools would achieve the level of Turkish schools and said that they were looking forward to opening a Turkish university in Yemen.

Davutoğlu arrived in Yemen's capital of Sana'a on Saturday, where he also met with his Yemeni counterpart, Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Abdullah al-Qirbi.

During a joint press conference after the meeting, Davutoğlu called for a cease-fire in Syria during Eid al-Adha, saying, “We have hopes for a cease-fire during Eid al-Adha, for our Syrian brothers to have some relief.”

Pointing out that a process of democratic change is occurring in the region, Davutoğlu said that the Syrian people, too, have the right to a democratically elected government.

Davutoğlu said at a news conference in Sanaa on Saturday that Yemen's power transfer deal, which allowed President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down, is no longer a suitable model for Syria.

The Yemeni model has previously been suggested as a way to end the conflict in Syria, which has killed some 30,000 people in the past 19 months. Saleh was given immunity from prosecution.

“The Yemen solution was suitable for Syria nine months ago,” Davutoğlu said. "But now, because every country has its own special circumstances, and due to the latest developments in the Syrian arena, which have seen the use of artillery and the air force in bombarding Syrian cities, room has narrowed for implementing such solutions.”

Saleh handed over his powers to his deputy last year under the power transfer deal but remained ceremonial president until the election in February, when he formally stepped down.

Davutoğlu said Turkey backed calls by UN and Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi for a cease-fire during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which starts at the end of this week Turkey is supporting Yemen in its period of transition, said Davutoğlu, adding that if this process is completed successfully, it will be a good example for new democracies in the region.

Davutoğlu remarked that all Yemeni people should contribute actively to the process of dialogue in the country and work together for the territorial integrity and prosperity of Yemen.  Noting that Turkey is committed to providing $100 million in assistance to Yemen, Davutoğlu said this assistance would create new business opportunities and employment for Yemenis.

One hundred and fifty Turkish businesspeople accompanied Davutoğlu on his visit to Yemen. “We encourage our businessmen to make investments in Yemen,” he said.

The foreign minister further commented that Turkey is planning to set up an organized industrial zone in the city of Hudaydah in Yemen, and added that the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) plans to pursue many economic development programs in the country. Turkish Airlines (THY) began flights also to Aden in October, Davutoğlu said, in addition to its flights to Sana'a.

“We are determined to carry our economic relations to the highest level,” Davutoğlu stated, expressing a belief that the trade volume between the two nations, which was $320 million in 2011, would soon exceed $400 million.

Meanwhile, Qirbi said Turkey had extended support for development programs and projects in Yemen and that the topics of development, economic and political cooperation and regional matters had been raised during their meeting.

Regarding the Syrian issue, Qirbi said Yemen was hoping for the declaration of a cease-fire during Eid al-Adha and for the state of peace to extend beyond the holiday.

Davutoğlu meets Nobel Prize recipient Karman

Davutoğlu met with Yemeni journalist and activist Tawakul Karman, recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, in Sana'a on Saturday. Davutoğlu and Karman met over dinner at the Turkish Embassy.

On Oct. 11, Karman -- whose roots go back to the Turkish province of Karaman -- acquired Turkish citizenship. Karman is the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

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