Turkey says Friends of Syria meeting in Istanbul will be a milestone towards a democratic Syria.

March 30 2012 (TUR) -- A meeting of the Friends of Syria in Istanbul on Sunday will be one of the important milestones towards a democratic Syria, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Friday. Member states of the United Nations Security Council and the countries that voted in favour for the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Syria as well as international and regional organizations are invited to the Istanbul conference. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu will make opening remarks at the conference and Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan will deliver a keynote address. "During the conference, participants will exchange views on opening up the way for a comprehensive political transition process in accordance with the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Syrian people and will address the efforts of Mr. Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria," the ministry said. "Moreover, putting an end to the violence in Syria, withdrawal of all Syrian military and armed forces from cities and towns, overcoming the humanitarian crisis, providing humanitarian access to people in need and sanctions against Syria will be discussed and possible additional measures will be considered," it said. "Turkey will decisively continue to spare no endeavors to stop immediately the bloodshed and tears in Syria and to participate actively in such international efforts."

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)