PM says no country should ask Turkey to apologize to Russia

  30 November 2015    Read: 991
PM says no country should ask Turkey to apologize to Russia
No country should ask Turkey to apologize to Russia over the downing of a Russian jet, said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
He made the remarks at a briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Turkey will not offer any apology to Russia as it was a national issue for the country, contrary to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand, said Davutoglu.

“This is more of an issue of dignity for us,” added Davutoğlu.

“Our army did their job in protecting our border,” he said, stressing it was the border between Turkey and Syria.

Davutoğlu said Turkey’s rules of engagement were made clear to Russia three times, in Ankara, Antalya and Moscow, before the downing of the jet.

“It was a defensive action. If there was no violation [of Turkish airspace] there would not be such a crisis,” he said.

Turkey doesn’t want an escalation of tension with Russia, and stands ready for a dialogue at all the levels, Davutoglu added.

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