Foreign ministers of Turkey, Mexico voice concern over US state’s immigration law

Turkey, Mexico concerned over Arizona law

ANKARA, Turkey — The foreign ministers of Turkey and Mexico have voiced concern over the immigration law in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Patricia Espinosa met with Turkey’s Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday, in the first visit by a Mexican foreign minister to Turkey in 18 years. The two signed an agreement for cooperation in education, science and culture, and pledged to work toward closer economic and political ties.

Davutoglu said the Arizona law that gives that state’s law-enforcement officers authority to pursue and detain illegal immigrants could lead to xenophobia.

Espinosa said she understood Arizona’ concerns over immigration but said “human rights should be held above these concerns.”

Espinosa has said she is seeking Turkey’s support for an accord on climate change at the year-end conference in the Mexican city of Cancun.