CHP leader seeks warm dialogue with Russia

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Russian FM Lavrov closely monitors the 22-month old conflict in Syria. EPA photo

Russia’s approach is significant to overcoming the crisis regarding Syria, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said, voicing eagerness to generate a warm dialogue with the neighboring country to the north.

“CHP will do its best to repair the relations that have been damaged by the [ruling Justice and Development Party] AKP. In this context, we find improving a warm dialogue with Russia necessary for the future of the people of the two countries,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, recalling that more than one year ago, the CHP proposed holding an international meeting including Russia to resolve the Syrian conflict. His remarks came in an interview with Gazetem, a Turkish journal published in Moscow, the CHP’s press office said yesterday.

In an apparent reference to Turkey’s dependence on Russia in the field of energy, the main opposition leader said Turkey should diversify its energy resources by signing agreements with different countries.

“The unilateral dependence will turn into a mutual dependence as the fields the two countries [have partnerships in] expand. Turkey, which is less dependent on Russia in natural gas and which has diversified fields of cooperation with Russia, will build more productive and healthier relations with Russia,” he said