Turkish president thanks Russian counterpart for supporting fight against wildfires

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the phone, Turkey's Communications Directorate said on Saturday.

Erdogan thanked Putin for Russia's allocation of five firefighting aircraft and three more helicopters for supporting Turkey's fight against forest fires across the country, according to a statement.

Putin also wished a speedy recovery to Turkey, the statement said.

Issues that will improve Turkey-Russia relations were also discussed by the two leaders, it added.

The country's death toll due to forest fires since Wednesday rose to six.

Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli earlier on Saturday noted on Twitter that the country contained most of the forest fires, saying the efforts were underway to take the remaining 10 forest fires under control.

The fires in the Manavgat district of Mediterranean Antalya province had affected at least 275 people as of Friday afternoon, according to official data.