Turkish PM: 'Russia is our friend and neighbor'

ANKARA

Turkey's prime minister has said it was not his country’s intention to “drive a wedge” into its relationship with Russia.

Ahmet Davutoglu was speaking on Wednesday in Ankara after Turkish F16 jets shot down a Russian warplane violating its airspace on Tuesday.

According to the Turkish military, the plane was downed near Syria's Bayirbucak area in line with standard rules of engagement.

Describing Russia as Turkey's friend and neighbor, Davutoglu told a meeting of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party: “Relations between big countries cannot be sacrificed over communication accidents."

Davutoglu said the Russian Federation was an important partner for Turkey.

Tensions between Ankara and Moscow have risen since a Russian SU-24 warplane was shot down near the Turkish-Syrian border after repeatedly ignoring warnings that it was violating Turkey’s airspace.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "This tragic event will bear serious consequences for Turkish-Russian relations."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cancelled a scheduled visit to Turkey in the wake of the incident.

The Turkish PM denied there was a Daesh element in the Bayirbucak area, adding: "No one can legitimate the attack on Bayirbucak area 'with Daesh'."

Davutoglu said that Turkey would not tolerate any attack on Bayirbucak's innocent people on the pretext that it was an operation against Daesh.