Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said the government will take measures to minimize the negative effects of the strained relationship with Russia due to the downed warplane on Nov. 24. "If there is a downgrade in the export and import balances or Turkey's investments in Russia or the energy field, the harm will be a mutual one," Davutoğlu said in a live televised interview on HaberTürk late Tuesday.
Concerning Moscow's ban on Turkish imports of fruits and vegetables, Davutoğlu said that he will take necessary measures such as calling back the food trucks at the customs gates as soon as possible before their due consumption date in order to sell them in different markets. "Turkey will surely have no difficulty in finding those new markets," Davutoğlu said, adding that he will soon announce other measures to be taken to prevent Turkish exporters, tourism and economy from being negatively affected by the consequences of sanctions. Davutoğlu's remarks have already relieved domestic producers by raising their hopes of being able to sell their food in other markets. Davutoğlu also said that there was no shortage of markets in the world for Turkey to deal with. The prime minister also highlighted the "permanent roots" of Turkish-Russian relations.
Regarding the possibility of Russia cutting the natural gas supply to Turkey, Davutoğlu said: "I don't think Russia would resort to that because there are serious, mutual engagements, mutual rights and commitments that come from international law."
"Yet, we have to be prepared for the worst possibility," he added. "If Turkish airspace had not been violated, such a crisis would not have occurred," Davutoğlu said. "Turkey is not a party that initiates an intentional crisis. Turkey is not a party that escalates crises. Turkey made a defensive move to protect its own airspace and did not do anything provocative or offensive against anyone," the prime minister said. "If the plane had not been stopped and had attacked one of our cities, everybody would be asking: ‘Why did the Turkish Armed Forces not perform their duty? Where was the government?'" Davutoğlu said.
Since the downing of a Russian warplane that violated Turkey's airspace near the Syrian border on Nov. 24, Russia has announced a range of sanctions against Turkey. Among the sanctions imposed by Moscow is the end of visa-free travel and a ban on Turkish food products. Russia has also called on its nationals to boycott Turkey as a tourist destination.
