during a joint press conference, 2010 Davutoğlu was appointed
Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2009 despite not being a member of parliament. He entered the
Grand National Assembly as an MP for
Konya in the
2011 general election and continued serving as foreign minister in
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's
third cabinet. He was listed in
Foreign Policy magazine as one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2010" for "being the brains behind Turkey's global reawakening." In an interview, he talked about his "Zero Problems Policy" and said that "it is possible to have zero problems if the other actors respect our values. It doesn't mean that we will be silent in order to have good relations with all parties." In 2011's
Foreign Policy magazine's list of "Top 100 Global Thinkers" he was listed together with
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for "imagining a new role for Turkey in the world- and making it happen. On 30 March 2012, Davutoğlu met with
Bechara Boutros al-Rahi of
Lebanon and said that they should meet occasionally during this century. In 2010, Davutoğlu set out four pillars upon which his foreign policy rests. The first is the indivisibility of security, the second is dialogue, the third is economic interdependence and the fourth is cultural harmony and mutual respect. He claimed that the goal of his policy was to integrate different nations and develop cultural understanding between different faiths and races, as well as maintaining co-operative relations and peaceful dialogue in order to solve crises when they arise. Latter analyses of Davutoğlu term as foreign minister in 2013 and 2014 have been significantly more negative and critical. His failures are mostly associated with Turkey's policy on the
Syrian Civil War, attempts to increase political influence over former Ottoman states and his controversial stance against Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who took power in 2014. Most criticism has been directed to Turkey's foreign policy on the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its refusal to help Kurdish fighters take back the town of
Kobani in 2014. In July 2014, an opinion poll placed support for Davutoğlu's foreign policy at 28.0, compared to a 57.7% disapproval rating. Two other polls in late 2014 show disapproval of Davutoğlu's policy on
Syria to be above two-thirds of the electorate.
Armenia On 24 April 2014, he and Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement in nine languages including
Western Armenian and
Eastern Armenian where they agreed that the
1915 Armenian deportations were inhumane. They also agreed that these events should be studied by both Turkish,
Armenian, and foreign historians. Nevertheless, they did not recognize the
Armenian genocide. After
Pope Francis has spoken that the Armenian genocide was one of the three major genocides in the 20th century, on 16 April 2015 Davutoğlu said that the Pope joined the "evil front" and the conspiracy against the Justice and Development Party.
Egypt cultural centre in
Cairo, 2011 Davutoğlu presided over a significant improvement in relations with
Egypt following the
election of
Mohamed Morsi as president in 2012, followed by a sudden deterioration shortly after the latter's removal in 2013. As one of the closest backers of the
Muslim Brotherhood, Davutoğlu's relations with Morsi's government involved a Turkish offer of assistance in order to draft a secular constitution. This offer, which some viewed as an attempt by Davutoğlu to increase Turkish influence in Egypt, was rejected by Morsi's government who instead opted for a more
Islamist constitution. Regardless, both Davutoğlu and Erdoğan strongly criticised the
July 2013 overthrow of Morsi, and the
Grand National Assembly passed a cross-party motion of condemnation. Davutoğlu claimed that intense diplomatic traffic between
Ankara and
Cairo took place before the overthrow, where an eight-point plan had been agreed. However, he stated after the July 3rd incident that the first action of the new administration should be allowing Morsi to resume active participation in politics. Davutoğlu also compared Morsi's overthrow to the Turkish coups in
1960 and
1980. Davutoğlu also criticised the judicial decision to sentence 529 Muslim Brotherhood members to death, further arguing that the Egyptian government was anti-democratic and acting illegally. Relations subsequently soured, with Egypt expelling the Turkish ambassador, while Erdoğan declared the Egyptian ambassador
persona non grata in retaliation. The Egyptian government also demanded an apology from the AKP for the comments, and refused to invite Turkey to an Islamic Conference held in Cairo due to the worsening relations. Following the release of
Hosni Mubarak, Davutoğlu claimed that his release at a time while Morsi was still imprisoned worsened the situation that could involve into a crisis similar to that in
Syria. After being ousted from Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood had also held two conferences at
Istanbul to debate the removal of Morsi and their response to it. The AKP government's stance and President Erdoğan's remarks on Egypt have resulted in Davutoğlu's government being criticised strongly overseas, being blamed by the
United Arab Emirates for 'irresponsible and blatant interference in the internal affairs' of Egypt. Critics have argued that the AKP's stance on Egypt is a threat to Davutoğlu's policy of expanding turkey's regional influence throughout the Middle East.
European Union in 2011 Despite being alleged to have Pan-Islamist foreign policy ideals, Davutoğlu has voiced a degree of support for Turkey's membership of the
European Union. Despite this, talks froze due to Turkey's policy on
Cyprus in mid 2012 after the Republic of Cyprus assumed the rotating EU presidency, with Davutoğlu claiming that Turkey would never beg for EU membership. The bulk of Turkish-EU relations are handled by the Ministry of European Union Affairs, led by Ministers
Egemen Bağış until 2013 and
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu between 2013 and 2014. In the 51st Association Council meeting in
Brussels held in May 2013, Davutoğlu claimed that Turkey had aimed for membership for 50 years and would continue to do so. He further stated that the international community needed to see Turkey as an EU member, but also said that it was unacceptable for Turkish citizens to be denied the right to free movement within Europe. With the
Gezi Park protests beginning a few days later and the Turkish government facing criticism from EU leaders due to a heavy handed police crackdown on protesters, talks stalled even further. In an article regarding Turkish foreign policy and the EU, Davutoğlu has claimed that Turkey's membership of the EU can allow it to develop stronger ties in the
Balkan and
Mediterranean regions and also help eliminate poverty in North Africa by using its influence in both the EU and the Islamic world. He has stated that with a multicultural identity and a diverse history, Turkey has a natural responsibility to bring about peace and stability within the world. Since Turkey already has close economic and diplomatic relations with EU member states, Davutoğlu has emphasised that full EU membership would benefit both Turkey and all other member states with added security and trade. Furthermore, Davutoğlu has also advocated that a united Europe with Turkey as a member would be fit to fight terrorism and other threats to democracy and human rights. Despite this, he has criticised the political obstacles in the path of Turkey's ascension which are in "stark contrast" with negotiation terms.
Greece and Cyprus In June 2012, Davutoğlu accused the Greek government of not respecting the rights of Turkish minorities, especially in
Western Thrace. He further stressed that the alleged withdrawal of Greek citizenships from Turkish minority citizens was against the
Treaty of Lausanne. In 2013, Davutoğlu brought a possible two-state solution of the
Cyprus dispute to Greek Foreign Minister
Dimitris Avramopoulos after controversy erupted over the ownership of offshore oil reserves. The prospect was swiftly disregarded by the Greek foreign ministry. Davutoğlu also claimed that negotiations to resolve the dispute would accelerate under the leadership of
Nikos Anastasiadis, who had supported the
Annan Plan and had voted yes in the
2004 Annan Plan referendum. This, according to Davutoğlu, was in stark contrast to former Republic of Cyprus President
Demetris Christofias, who had voted against. Davutoğlu has also expressed that any new possible solution does not need to be based on the Annan Plan. On the issue of turning
Hagia Sophia into a mosque, Davutoğlu has stated that all international laws on such issues would be obeyed. He has also called the Greek government to respect the religious freedoms of Muslims within Greece, which he alleged to be under threat from legislation such as the "240 Imam Act." He claimed that the Greek government should refrain from interfering in religious affairs.
Iran in
Ankara As the foreign minister of a
Turkey, Davutoğlu has voiced concerns over
Iran's
nuclear program. Regardless, his foreign policy has been to develop relations with Iran, since Iran is Turkey's second biggest supplier of oil after Russia. In contrast to Turkey's western allies, Davutoğlu stated that there was no plan to place an embargo on Iranian oil, and claimed that
sanctions against Iran had also damaged Turkey. Davutoğlu has stated that his vision for Turkey is for the country to become an "energy corridor" for eastern oil. His stance has been at odds with other cabinet ministers such as Energy minister
Taner Yıldız, who sought to buy more oil from
Libya in order to comply with United Nations sanctions against Iran. After a
temporary deal on Iran's nuclear programme was reached in
Geneva, Davutoğlu congratulated Iranian Foreign Minister
Mohammad Javad Zarif on the achievement and stated that the withdrawal of sanctions would benefit both Turkey and Iran. He further stated that Turkey would not want to see the spread of nuclear arms throughout the region. Friction developed between the two countries after Turkey decided to host a
NATO missile defence system against
Bashar al-Assad's Syrian forces in 2012. As a supporter of Assad's regime, Iran's foreign policy has been at odds with Davutoğlu's criticism of Assad. Relations in regards to Syria improved in 2013, with Davutoğlu and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif jointly calling for a ceasefire ahead of the January 2014 Geneva peace talks. In late 2013, Davutoğlu stated that both Turkey and Iran were united for regional stability.
Iraq and ISIL and other Foreign Ministers at the
Global Counter Terrorism Forum Davutoğlu has claimed that the Turkish policy against the
Islamic State (IS) has been to try and prevent sectarian violence at all costs by reaching out to both
Sunni and
Shi'ite communities. In August 2014, Davutoğlu stated that he held Prime Minister
Nouri Al-Maliki as responsible for the escalating violence within
Iraq, and criticised his refusal to step down. After security forces surrounded Iraqi President
Fouad Masoum's presidential palace on 10 August, Davutoğlu claimed that he had "worked all night" to avert any coup attempts and issued a statement of support for President Masoum. Davutoğlu has also voiced concern on the impact that the growing unrest has had on Iraq's
Turkmen and
Yazidi minorities. Davutoğlu's policy on IS has drawn fierce criticism and concern from both the Turkish political opposition and the international community for inactivity, incorrect speculation and even alleged funding. In a statement on 7 August 2014, Davutoğlu responded to these claims by stating that "anyone who claims that IS receives support from Turkey is treacherous." Several news agencies reported that the statement had defended ISIS against accusations of terrorism and had blamed
Syria and Iraq for the violence instead. Davutoğlu also stated that Turkey is the biggest contributor of humanitarian aid in Iraq. In early 2014, Turkey had destroyed an ISIS convoy in an attempt to respond to their growing influence in Syria.
Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government Relations between Turkey and the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq strengthened with the ceasefire with
PKK rebels. In 2014, Davutoğlu visited northern Iraq and met regional President
Massoud Barzani multiple times, stating that Turkey sought closer ties with the KRG in terms of diplomatic relations as well as oil trade. He further stated that no hostilities remained between Turkey and the KRG due to the PKK ceasefire. Talks between Barzani also involved the ISIS related developments in Iraq.
Israel and Gaza (centre) and Qatari Foreign Minister
Khalid al-Attiyah (right) discussing
Israel-
Hamas ceasefire deal (Paris, 2014) Before becoming foreign minister, Davutoğlu was one of the leading actors on behalf of the Turkish government during the shuttle diplomacy for the settlement of
2008 Israel–Gaza conflict. Following the
Mavi Marmara incident in May 2010, Davutoğlu put forward three conditions for the normalisation of relations between
Turkey and
Israel. He stated that the State of Israel should issue an apology for the incident and pay compensation, and also lift the naval blockade of the
Gaza Strip. Davutoğlu managed to secure an apology in March 2013, and compensation deals were finalised in 2014. He further stated that the political unrest in
Egypt had delayed the lifting of the naval blockade. In February 2014, Davutoğlu claimed that Turkish-Israeli relations were closer to normalisation than ever, and that the strengthening of
Palestine will help increase the influence of Turkey in the Middle East. His remarks were criticised by lawyers for allegedly interfering with the cases against the Israeli soldiers who were involved in the Mavi Marmara incident. At an
Ankara conference in May 2014, Davutoğlu claimed that the Israeli occupation of
Jerusalem caused suffering to citizens, and that it was a moral obligation to protect the city's culture and Islamic identity. With Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan taking a strong anti-Israel stance during the
2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, Davutoğlu pursued a policy of active participation, providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated significantly, with Israel withdrawing diplomatic staff from Turkey due to safety fears, just a few months after announcing that staff numbers would increase back to normal levels. On 26 July, Davutoğlu met with United States Secretary of State
John Kerry and Qatari Foreign Minister
Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah in Paris in an unsuccessful attempt to draft a ceasefire deal between Israel and
Hamas.
Libyan Civil War , March 2011 Davutoğlu took a humanitarian approach in an attempt to end the suffering of Libyan civilians during the
Civil War. In a 2011 conference on Libya, Davutoğlu stated that ending civilian suffering should be a greater priority than toppling
Muammar Gaddafi from power, stating that
NATO should play a more active role in pressuring Gaddafi to respect the rights of Libyan citizens. However, he warned against full military intervention, stating that the situation should not turn into a war effort similar to those in
Iraq or
Afghanistan. In April, Davutoğlu stated that the Turkish government had cut its diplomatic ties with Gaddafi's regime and instead recognised the
National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya and pledged greater financial aid to the rebels. In May 2011, Davutoğlu met with rebel leaders and voiced concerns on the threats to civilians, arguing that a
peaceful transition of power could be achieved if Gaddafi and his family stepped aside.
Russia and Crimea Before becoming foreign minister, Davutoğlu stated that Turkey would not pay the price of either Russian or
Georgian strategic failures during the
Russo-Georgian War in 2008. Upon being asked whether Turkey would have to make a choice between either country, he stated that as a member of NATO and an EU candidate country, Turkey had already made its choice. However, he also emphasised that Turkey did not have the luxury of isolating Russia. Economic relations improved with a Russian offer for Turkey to participate in the
South Stream gas pipeline project, which will run through Turkish waters. Davutoğlu has stated that Turkey is eager to enhance economic co-operation with Russia. The issues of
Syria and
Crimea were discussed during a Joint Strategic Planning Group Meeting in May 2014. A new project to establish a joint investment bank between the two countries in order to fund joint projects and improve economic relations through the use of local currencies was also likely discussed. The bank would also serve to address the lack of financial resources which have placed the two nations' ongoing joint investments at risk. in 2010 With Turkey taking a pro-opposition stance throughout the Syrian Civil War in contrast to Russia's support of
Bashar al-Assad, Davutoğlu has been at odds with Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov. Despite this, Davutoğlu has stated that actions taken by Turkey against Syria, such as the forcing the landing of a Syrian jet in 2012, would not damage relations. In 2013, the two sides still failed to agree on the fate of Syria, yet both emphasised that they would formulate a strategic plan to bring peace and stability throughout the region. Davutoğlu also supported Russia's call for Syria to hand over its chemical weapons instead of risking foreign military intervention. In May 2014, he raised concerns regarding the
Syrian presidential election with Russia. Davutoğlu has supported the need for a peaceful resolution to the
Russo-Ukrainian war through diplomatic negotiations, and has raised concern over the treatments of
Crimean Tatars by Russian armed forces. He also called for the Russians to lift the ban on Tatar leader and Ukrainian Member of Parliament
Mustafa Dzhemilev's entrance to Crimea, the respect for international law and the union of
Ukraine. Davutoğlu has stated that Turkey would not recognise the result of the
status referendum in Crimea. In March 2014, Davutoğlu accepted nearly 50 representatives from various Crimea charities from throughout Turkey, as well as from the Crimean Tatar Charity Federation. He stated that Tatars were going through a "test," in which everything must be done to insure that they are able to return to their "homeland." He stated that Turkey would always side with Turkish Crimeans in any situation. He later also claimed that the future of Turkish Crimeans was the most important problem for the country and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was doing all it could to prevent the situation from destabilising any further. Earlier in February, he claimed that all problems could be solved if Crimea remained within Ukraine.
Somalia Davutoğlu has played a leading role in the Turkish government's close bilateral ties with the
Federal Government of
Somalia. Following a greatly improved security situation in
Mogadishu in mid-2011, the Turkish government re-opened its foreign embassy with the intention of more effectively assisting in the post-conflict development process. It was among the first foreign administrations to resume formal diplomatic relations with Somalia after the civil war. Davutoğlu further encouraged other nations to follow suit and re-open their own embassies in the country, welcoming in that regard the new British embassy in Mogadishu. In May 2010, the Turkish and Somali governments signed a military training agreement, in keeping with the provisions outlined in the Djibouti Peace Process. Enforcement of the pact officially began in November 2012. In May 2013, Davutoğlu was also among the participants at the Somalia Conference in London co-chaired by President Mohamud. Davutoğlu therein emphasized the importance of supporting Mohamud's Six-Pillar Policy for Somalia. Additionally, he brokered national reconciliation talks in Ankara between the Somali federal government and the
Somaliland regional administration in northwestern Somalia. In a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, Davutoğlu indicated that the Turkish government's chief priority was in assisting the Somali federal government to consolidate its authority. He also reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to Somalia's territorial integrity and political sovereignty. Davutoğlu has supported the need to strengthen the rebels against Assad's regime, though his stance was complicated by the growing influence of
Al-Qaeda related militant action within Syria as the civil war progressed. In September 2012, Davutoğlu called for the establishment of "safe zones" in northern Syria to accommodate refugees and reduce the number of civilian casualties. He warned that continued global inactivity in regards to Syria will lead to failure "like
Bosnia" in response to the United Nations General Assembly's failure to reach consensus. In a conference of Syria-bordering countries hosted in
Jordan, Davutoğlu stated in May 2014 that Turkey had spent US$3 billion on maintaining refugee camps, and that the United Nations needed to do more to finance their upkeeping. In the same conference, he claimed that "the world has failed Syria." Davutoğlu has pledged to support the United States should they authorise military action within Syria. Losing confidence in the
United Nations Security Council, Davutoğlu has not ruled out a military option to resolving the crisis. The political opposition within Turkey has strongly criticised Davutoğlu's policy on Syria, claiming that it was responsible for the
2013 Reyhanlı bombings. On 23 March 2014, a Syrian fighter jet was shot down by the
Turkish Armed Forces. Davutoğlu claimed that the jet had violated Turkish airspace, whereas this allegation was denied by the Syrian authorities. The incident occurred 7 days before
local elections, and Davutoğlu claimed that anyone who thought that the downing of the jet was an election ploy was "evil minded." He also stated that Turkey would not accept the
2014 Syrian presidential election as legitimate. ==Domestic views==