Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu being in Belgium’s capital city of Brussels for EU-Turkey summit has organized a joint press meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The escalated tension between Turkey and Russia after Russian plane was shot down by Turkey over border violation has been discussed in the bilateral meeting.
Stoltenberg: Turkey has the right to protect its air space
Stoltenberg following the meeting stated that Turkey has the right to protect its borders and air space.
Stoltenberg saying “We will discuss defusing the tension in the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs tomorrow”, said they collect and evaluate information as to downing the plane.
“Information Turkey provided are consistent”
“NATO gathered for an extraordinary meeting in which Turkish Ambassador to NATO shared all information and details. The information which we obtained from other sources too are consistent with the ones Turkey provided”.
Davutoğlu: Turkey is not to blame for the incident
Davutoğlu speaking after Stoltenberg said, “We are ready to talk to Russia”.
The PM Davutoğlu thanking for NATO’s support said, “As long as two coalitions continue fighting, it will be hard to prevent air space accidents”.
“Our air space was violated three times by Russia, and we warned them three times. Turkey is not to blame for what happened on November 24. We are ready to talk on any level”.
“There was no ISIS target”
Davutoğlu stating “There was no ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) target” said, “We shouldn’t be blamed for protecting our air space. I wish Russia reviews its decision of imposing sanction on Turkey”.
“No one should expect apology from us”
In response to question “Do you consider apologizing?”, Davutoğlu said, “Protecting our air space is not right but a duty. No government leader apologizes for fulfilling a duty. Our army did what it was supposed to do. May no country expect apology from us”. (HK/TK)
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