Turkey, Finland share views on Syrian issue: Davutoglu
Turkish PM leaves for Finland on official visit
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu delivers a speech during a press conference before he leaves for Finland, at Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey on April 5, 2016. ( Fatih Aktaş - Anadolu Agency )
Ankara
ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said Turkey and Finland share the same viewpoints over the Syrian issue.
Addressing a press conference at the Ankara airport before his official visit to Finland Tuesday night, Davutoglu acknowledged Finland’s “one of the best humanitarian attitudes” for refugees.
About refugees dispatched to Europe Monday under an agreement between Turkey and the EU, Davutoglu said some among them were sent to Finland.
He said Finland was one of the European countries that accepted refugees from the first stage. "We have the same point of view with Finland on the Syrian issue and share a joint stand against the humanitarian issue," he said.
Under the agreement between Turkey and the EU, irregular migrants will be returned to Turkey from Greece in a one-for-one exchange for refugees at Turkish camps.
Around 2.7 million Syrians who have fled the civil war in their country are being sheltered at camps inside Turkey.
Davutoglu also said that Turkey and Finland strive to enhance bilateral relations further.
"We are deeply striving to improve our economic relations. Our trade volume is around $1.5 billion, which we wanted to increase," he said.
He added that Finland always supported Turkey's EU membership.
