Ankara calls on Moscow to normalize relations
Turkey and Russia need perspective to repair their relationship and must overcome the situation with "self-control," Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in an interview with Russia-based TASS News Agency.
Çavuşoğlu highlighted that trade between the nations paved the way for strong bilateral relations, saying, "Economic and trade matters have always taken special positions in our bilateral relations. We believe it is wrong that this regrettable incident has damaged our relations, which were so strong due to the efforts we've made over many years." He added that previously the two countries had handled political disputes in a manner which did not damage trade and economic relations.
"Instead of the escalation of the current tensions, we should overcome this period as soon as possible and return our relations to the way they were. We should keep that fact in mind; otherwise this sorrowful incident bears the risk of having lasting consequences. It will also include the danger of complicating relations between our peoples," Çavuşoğlu said.
"Given the mutual interests of our countries and their futures, we believe it is reasonable to review those sanctions and to cancel them immediately. Otherwise, the said economic measures will directly affect the economies of both countries and will cause negative consequences for the Russian people, no less than for the Turkish people," he said.
Despite disagreements over several issues including the Syrian and Ukrainian crises, there has been considerable positive momentum in relations between Ankara and Moscow due to growing economic and trade ties. However, Turkey's downing of a Russian jet for violating its airspace on Nov. 24 dragged relations to a standstill.
The Turkish military later released a statement, saying that the nationality of the downed warplane was unknown during the warnings. According to the statement, the Russian warplane received 10 warnings to vacate Turkish airspace within five minutes before it was shot down.
This was not the first time Russian warplanes had violated Turkish airspace. In October, Russian warplanes violated Turkish airspace after which Russian officials apologized and pledged that such incidents would not reoccur in the future.
Çavuşoğlu highlighted that trade between the nations paved the way for strong bilateral relations, saying, "Economic and trade matters have always taken special positions in our bilateral relations. We believe it is wrong that this regrettable incident has damaged our relations, which were so strong due to the efforts we've made over many years." He added that previously the two countries had handled political disputes in a manner which did not damage trade and economic relations.
"Instead of the escalation of the current tensions, we should overcome this period as soon as possible and return our relations to the way they were. We should keep that fact in mind; otherwise this sorrowful incident bears the risk of having lasting consequences. It will also include the danger of complicating relations between our peoples," Çavuşoğlu said.
"Given the mutual interests of our countries and their futures, we believe it is reasonable to review those sanctions and to cancel them immediately. Otherwise, the said economic measures will directly affect the economies of both countries and will cause negative consequences for the Russian people, no less than for the Turkish people," he said.
Despite disagreements over several issues including the Syrian and Ukrainian crises, there has been considerable positive momentum in relations between Ankara and Moscow due to growing economic and trade ties. However, Turkey's downing of a Russian jet for violating its airspace on Nov. 24 dragged relations to a standstill.
The Turkish military later released a statement, saying that the nationality of the downed warplane was unknown during the warnings. According to the statement, the Russian warplane received 10 warnings to vacate Turkish airspace within five minutes before it was shot down.
This was not the first time Russian warplanes had violated Turkish airspace. In October, Russian warplanes violated Turkish airspace after which Russian officials apologized and pledged that such incidents would not reoccur in the future.