Cold War principles should not be applied to Ukraine. - Turkey's FM

Application of Cold War patterns may lead to further tensions in Ukraine and bring to naught all reconciliation efforts, the Turkish foreign minister said.

"We are telling all of our partners that they should not be guided by the Cold War principles, or else confrontation will escalate in the region and all our reconciliation efforts will be brought to naught," Ahmet Davutoglu said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday.


He said Turkey is Russia's and Ukraine's neighbor and is maintaining intensive relations with both countries in the Black Sea region. Following the presidential elections in Ukraine, "we see a new situation emerging," he said.

"We hope that these elections and the statements made after the elections by both Ukraine and Russia, will ease and normalize the situation in the region," Davutoglu said.

He said that the talks with Lavrov covered the situation in Crimea and the issue of Crimean Tatars.

"The Crimean Tatars' peace and wellbeing are very important to Turkey. This issue was discussed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone," he said, Interfax reports.
[voiceofrussia.com]
27/5/14
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Related:

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• Ουκρανία, εμπόριο και οικονομία συζητούν Λαβρόφ- Νταβούτογλου

• Turkey's FM calls for Ukraine unity. - Elections on May 25 could create an opportunity to make these reforms.

• Turkey: We will always stand by Crimean Tatars. -Turkey supports and encourages the return of Tatars in their homeland

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2013

• Turkey, Russia conduct joint air military exercise.