Turkey, Russia agree to revive ties, fight terror

ANKARA

AP photo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to revive the stalled bilateral relationship between the two countries in their first direct contact on June 29, while also expressing their shared determination to fight terrorism. 

Russian leader Putin called Erdoğan two days after the latter sent a message to express his deep sorrow over the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey on Nov. 24, 2015, in a bid to end a months-long strain in ties between Ankara and Moscow. 

“Our president and Putin, president of the Russian Federation, have emphasized the importance of normalizing bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia,” a written statement issued by Erdoğan’s office said on June 29, after a 45-minute-long phone conversation between the leaders which was described as “positive and productive” by presidential sources. 

Apart from taking necessary steps to revive bilateral relations, the two presidents also pointed to the importance of cooperation in regional political, economic and humanitarian crises, read the statement.
 
The two leaders voiced their determination to both revive their mutual relationship and fight terrorism, the statement said, adding they also agreed to meet in person. 

According to the statement, Putin also condemned the terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport on June 28 and shared his condolences with the people of Turkey.

Meanwhile, Putin will order government to start negotiations to restore bilateral trade cooperation with Turkey, according to a statement by Kremlin.

He will also drop restriction measures against Russian tourists visiting Turkey, the statement added.