Turkey's FM Davutoglu says Turkey does not have any plans to invade Syria

ANKARA (A.A) - December 14, 2011 - Turkey's foreign minister said on Wednesday that Turkey did not have any plans to occupy Syria. Ahmet Davutoglu said it was out of question for Turkey to make plans to invade Syria on its own or with another country or an organization.  "Moreover, we do not have any information or demand that a country has such a plan," Davutoglu said as he responded to a question motion at the parliament. Davutoglu said everybody was concerned about Syrian regime's collective punishment and armed struggle against its own people who were voicing their wishes for universal rights including democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law and a better governance. "Although we have exerted great efforts to take Syrian administration, which we have continuously backed in the most difficult times when it was subject to international isolation, out of this wrong path; the Syrian regime does not give up violent policies against its own people and does not launch a reform process," Davutoglu said. Davutoglu said it was an obligation to take some concrete measures against the Syrian administration not only within the scope of universal values but also due to the possibility that the current crisis in the country could turn into a serious clash that could affect the entire region. "The measures we made public on November 30 should be considered within this framework," he said. Davutoglu said Syria's future could be determined with the free will of Syrian people and Syrian people would set the course and outcome of the transformation process. The minister also said protecting Syria's national unity and territorial integrity and restoring the country's security and stability were Turkey's prior targets. On November 30, Davutoglu revealed a package of sanctions on Syria over Damascus' refusal to halt a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Following is a list of sanctions: 1- Turkey will suspend its High Level Strategic Cooperation Council until a legitimate rule is established in Syria.    2- Turkey will impose a travel ban on and freeze bank assets of members of the Syrian leadership who have been alleged to resort to violence and unlawful methods on Syrian people. Turkey will also take similar measures against businesspeople who give strong backing to the Syrian regime.    3- Turkey will halt sale and supply of all weapons and other military equipment to the Syrian army. 4- Turkey will intercept delivery of all weapons and other military equipment to the Syria through Turkish soil, air space and waters. 5- Relations between Turkish and Syrian central banks will be suspended.  6- Financial assets of the Syrian government in Turkey will be frozen.  7- Turkey will stop all financial credit dealings with Syria. 8- All operations, except for ongoing ones, with Syria will be stopped.  9- Turkey will suspend a Turkish Eximbank loan deal to finance Syrian infrastructure projects.