A children's aid fund has been set up in the memory of former Russian envoy to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, who was shot dead by a gunman in Ankara last year.Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmuş said Friday that it was important to cherish the former envoy's memory in order to inform the future generations about Turkish-Russian friendship, which Karlov really worked hard for.
Kurtulmuş recently hosted the Russian Turkish Businesspeople Union Chairman, Naki Karaaslan and other union members in his office.
The minister said that they were working hard to take Turkey-Russia relations to pre-jet crisis levels, and reach a high point, especially in the tourism sector.
Kurtulmuş expressed his hopes that the remaining issues will also be resolved soon. He added that the government will assist Turkish businessmen who aim to strengthen the ties between Turkey and Russia.
Earlier in an event at the Turkish embassy in Moscow Monday, the children's fund was unveiled.
Speaking at the program, Naki Karaaslan said the Andrey Karlov Foundation will aid children suffering from diseases and poverty. It will also grant scholarships to university students.
He added that they would organize conferences, seminars, and symposiums in the coming months. Turkish Ambassador to Moscow, Hüseyin Diriöz, and dignitaries also attended the event.
The Andrey Karlov Foundation was established in Moscow, a year after Russian ambassador's death, with an aim to elevate Turkey-Russia ties.
A Turkish businessman will chair the foundation endorsed by the late ambassador's wife Marina Karlova.
On Nov. 19, 2016, Karlov was shot dead by Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, an off-duty police officer, at the opening of a Russia-themed exhibition at an Ankara art gallery.
The assassination was at a time of thaw between strained Turkish and Russian relations. Investigations revealed that Altıntaş was linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), blamed for last year's coup attempt in Turkey.
Since the murder, Ankara, and Moscow gradually made progress in rebuilding ties that were derailed by the 2015 downing of a Russian fighter jet over the Syrian border by the Turkish military.
"[Karlov] was an exceptional diplomat appreciated by everyone for his personality and success in diplomacy," Diriöz said at the event, noting that the late ambassador served during a "difficult" time.
"It is a great loss for our country. I believe the revered memory of Karlov, who exerted efforts to improve our bilateral relations, will serve as a contributing factor to developing the relations," he said.
Marina Karlov thanked everyone who worked to establish the foundation and said the foundation would preserve her husband's memory and "prevent the repeat of such tragedy."