All lines of contact with Turkey open, says Russian envoy to EU

After relations between Russia and Turkey were strained due to two violations of Turkish airspace by Russian jets conducting airstrikes in Syria, Russia's envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said on Friday that all lines between the two countries are open for discussion.

During an interview with EurActiv, Chizhov said that "All lines of contact between Moscow and Ankara are open. Including military to military. The Russian military are in contact with the Turkish military, to discuss any issues that might arise."

"Russia considers Turkey as a friend country and a major partner not only in energy but in other areas as well," he added.

Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO, scrambled two F-16 jets on Saturday after a Russian aircraft crossed into its airspace near its southern province of Hatay, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

In a second incident, the Turkish military said a MiG-29 fighter jet, an aircraft used both by the Russian and Syrian air forces, had harassed two of its F-16s by locking its radar on them on Sunday as they patrolled the border.

While the Russian ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the ministry on Oct. 3 and Oct. 5 and the details of the rules of engagement were given to the ambassador, Moscow officially apologized for what it referred to as a "misunderstanding" and pledged to avoid such incidents in the future.