Turks say no hard feelings over NZ's capture of UN seat

Mevlut Cavusoglu says it will take more than air strikes to defeat radical groups. Picture / Dean Purcell

Turkey's Foreign Minister says Ankara has no hard feelings towards New Zealand after its defeat in its bid to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

New Zealand and Spain were elected to the council last month.

During a brief stop in Auckland yesterday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the "adverse political climate" in the region had a "negative effect" on the result.

NZ and Spain were clear-cut winners, with Turkey a distant third in voting.

Turkey's policies towards militants in Syria and Iraq have drawn criticism in the US and Western Europe, with Washington saying Ankara is not doing enough to halt the spread of Isis (Islamic State) or defend human rights.

But Dr Cavusoglu said Turkey was under great pressure to accommodate more than 1.6 million refugees displaced by conflict in Syria, and was spending tens of millions on food, shelter and education in camps for displaced communities.

"Turkey is not the United Nations. The burden is heavy for us," he said.

He said Turkey had a long and painful experience with terror groups, and believed more than just air strikes were required to defeat radical groups.

The Foreign Minister said Turkey wanted greater international co-operation in stopping foreign fighters joining extremist groups and would turn back any New Zealanders whose details were passed over by authorities here.

Security issues are expected to be discussed in Wellington today between Dr Cavusoglu and Foreign Minister Murray McCully, along with preparations for next year's centennial Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli.

New Zealanders who missed the ballot for the Anzac event can make plans for a second service on August 8. The service will be held at the New Zealand Memorial on Chunuk Bair, and is open to anyone who makes the journey.

Dr Cavusoglu said the fact that Turkey cleared the way for a further service in what was a important year at Gallipoli showed the two countries shared a special friendship born out of war.