Karlov's assassination not to harm relations: Turkish fm

By Esra Kaymak Avci

ANKARA (AA) – Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Monday the attack that killed Russia’s envoy to Ankara, Andrey Karlov, would not harm Turkish and Russian relations.

"It is known how important the relations with Russia are for the region and not only for two countries," Cavusoglu said. "Especially the recent evacuation of innocent civilians from Aleppo and efforts for a permanent cease-fire and a political solution was recognized by whole world,” he told reporters shortly after his plane landed in Moscow for trilateral meetings with Russia and Iran regarding Syria.

Cavusoglu said Turkey appreciated Russia's recent position on the situation in Syria and thanked Karlov for his efforts to strengthen relations even in the hardest times since he became ambassador to Turkey in 2013.

While condemning the attack Cavusoglu said it not only targeted Karlov, but also Russia, Turkey and bilateral relations between the two countries, which recently began to normalize.

Cavusoglu said both nations and their people knew the aim behind the attack but it would not harm relations.

He said a joint investigation team would reveal the motive and punish responsible parties within the framework of the law and the attack would strengthen cooperation between Turkey and Russia to counter terrorism.

After the news briefing, Cavusoglu called his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and conveyed similar sentiments.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke via telephone and both leaders described the act as "provocation" to undermine relations Turkey and Russia carry in Syria.

Cavusoglu's comments come hours after Karlov was shot multiple times Monday evening at an art exhibition in Ankara.

Karlov was delivering a speech at the Contemporary Arts Gallery in the Cankaya district when an assailant opened fire on the diplomat before shooting into the air, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent who witnessed the incident.

Police special forces neutralized the attacker, identified as 22-year-old riot police officer Mevlut Mert Altintas.

Karlov was born in Moscow in 1954 and was a graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Ee was an experienced diplomat, serving in many positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the former Soviet Union and Russia.