Turkish PM urges global effort to curb bloodshed in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said here on Thursday that the problems in Syria are not regional but of global concern and urged measures to avoid further bloodshed. At the Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum held in Istanbul, Erdogan called on the participants "to take immediate measures to stop bloodshed for the sake of not only energy security but also world peace and solidarity." Speaking of lessons that could be learned about Libya, he said some countries are only after Libya's oil wells and ignore the human side of the incidents. Economic prosperity, energy security and world peace cannot be achieved without honoring humanity, said the prime minister, who voiced concerns that humanitarian efforts may be even less in Syria than Libya because it is not rich enough in terms of energy. Erdogan also said it is a must to discuss global economy and energy security considering recent developments in Middle East and North Africa, noting that energy supplies, national security, economic independence, sustainable development and the social stability are inter-related. At the same time, Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan held an economic meeting on Syria in Istanbul. The minister said Turkish exports to Syria rose by 3.7 percent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2011 but declined in October and November compared to the same period last year. Caglayan said Syria's current woes are only temporary and that his country, which has the most foreign investment in Syria, believes in the future of Syria.