Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkey stands ready to discuss everything with Russia, except for the violation of its border, said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
He made the remarks in Baku Dec. 3 at a joint press conference with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.
Davutoglu said Turkey respects state borders of all the countries and demands everyone to demonstrate the same respect to its borders.
Relations between Ankara and Moscow deteriorated significantly following the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber in Turkey's airspace by Turkish Air Force on Nov. 24.
Earlier, Davutoglu, commenting on the two countries' strained relations, said the anti-Turkish statements made by Russian authorities are consistent with the spirit of the former USSR.
He said Turkey hoped that Russia got rid of the USSR's propaganda rhetoric, but facts show that it is not exactly that way.
"No one, but the Russian authorities, believes in the anti-Turkish propaganda," said the prime minister.
Turkish and Russian FMs are expected to meet Dec. 3 in Belgrade, Serbia, during the OSCE Ministerial Council, to settle the recent crisis in the relations between the two countries.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu