Black Sea symposium focuses on Turkey-Russia ties

By Gultekin Yetkin

GIRESUN, Turkey

The seventh International Black Sea Symposium began Thursday in the northeastern province of Giresun to discuss regional issues, focusing on Turkey-Russia relations.

During the two-day symposium held by Giresun University's Black Sea Center for Strategic Researches, more than 70 academics from Iraq, Iran, Russia, Algeria, Egypt and Turkey discuss geopolitical and regional issues.

Anadolu Agency's Deputy Director-General Mustafa Ozkaya was also among the participants.

Ozkaya spoke about the agency's mission, saying: "The Anadolu Agency is committed to contribute to peaceful environment through its publications."

He highlighted that the agency is presently in troubled regions in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Myanmar, Asia and Africa. "The agency also undertakes an important mission against the PKK, PYD and FETO, which aim to narrow our global vision," he added.

Noting the agency's role in easing tension between Turkey and Russia, Ozkaya said: "We aimed to contribute to returning relations in the pre-crisis situation ..."

He also appreciated Russia's state-run TASS news agency's balanced policy amid tension.

Turkey and Russia relations suffered a year-long hiatus in 2016 after Turkish jets downed a Russian plane for violating the airspace.