Russia violates international law by punishing Turkish businesses: Turkish PM

ANKARA - Doğan News Agency

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu delivering a speech at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara on Dec. 2, 2015. AA Photo

Russia punishing Turkish businesses through economic sanctions is not in line with international law, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said, while stressing Ankara is ready to take measures to compensate for any losses. 

“Punishing the business people and investors of a country instead of dealing with the country itself is not in line with international law,” Davutoğlu told reporters following a meeting with the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) on Dec. 2. 

Ankara has been discussing precautions to compensate for business losses that might occur due to Russia’s sanctions and will announce these if necessary, the Turkish prime minister said, while urging Moscow not to make threats with economic measures. 

“Those who adopt the language of threats and sanctions should know that Turkey cannot be blackmailed,” he said. “If one door closes, another one opens,” Davutoğlu stated, in reference to Ankara’s efforts to seek alternative markets to Russia. 

Calling on both parties to refrain from taking economic measures in response to a political crisis, the prime minister called for discussions instead of accusations. 

“I am making a call to our friends and neighbors in Russia: Let’s discuss our problems around a table. Let’s put forth our documents instead of making accusations,” he said. 

Stressing Turkey’s strong political will for the betterment of its relations with Russia, he urged Moscow to ease tensions.

“The Russian plane would not have been downed if it wasn’t for a violation of our airspace. If we were notified of the flight beforehand, we would have told Russia that there are no [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] ISIL fighters in that region and offer to make a joint operation against ISIL,” he stated. Davutoğlu underlined the situation was a matter of national security for Turkey and the country has every right to take measures.