01:37Russia: Lavrov and Turkish FM to begin normalisation talks in 'nearest future'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that restrictions on the travel of Russian nationals to Turkey have partially been lifted, and that the two states are taking steps to normalise bilateral relations. He made the comments during a speech at a Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting in Sochi on Friday.
"The Russian president signed a decree, according to which the government must start consultations with the Turkish government in order to coordinate further steps aimed at the normalisation of our bilateral relations," Lavrov stated. "[Turkish] Foreign Minister [Mevlut] Cavusoglu and I have agreed today to start these consultations in the nearest future. Moreover, the president's decree has lifted restrictions on tourism," he added.
Lavrov said the news had been met positively by the Turkish leadership, stating that "Turkish President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and his colleagues have given reassurances that Turkish authorities will introduce all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Russian and other tourists in Turkey."
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree partially lifting restrictions on Russians' travel to Turkey, and ordered intergovernmental talks with Ankara. Bilateral ties between Russia and Turkey had deteriorated after the downing of a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 jet by the Turkish Air Force in November of last year.
01:37Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that restrictions on the travel of Russian nationals to Turkey have partially been lifted, and that the two states are taking steps to normalise bilateral relations. He made the comments during a speech at a Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting in Sochi on Friday.
"The Russian president signed a decree, according to which the government must start consultations with the Turkish government in order to coordinate further steps aimed at the normalisation of our bilateral relations," Lavrov stated. "[Turkish] Foreign Minister [Mevlut] Cavusoglu and I have agreed today to start these consultations in the nearest future. Moreover, the president's decree has lifted restrictions on tourism," he added.
Lavrov said the news had been met positively by the Turkish leadership, stating that "Turkish President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and his colleagues have given reassurances that Turkish authorities will introduce all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Russian and other tourists in Turkey."
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree partially lifting restrictions on Russians' travel to Turkey, and ordered intergovernmental talks with Ankara. Bilateral ties between Russia and Turkey had deteriorated after the downing of a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 jet by the Turkish Air Force in November of last year.