"Russia and Turkey have been close economic partners over decades. Though, neighbors sometimes have different disagreements. It is important to overcome them for the benefit of the two countries and mutual respect. We have managed to achieve this," Kurtulmus told RIA Novosti at an international conference devoted to tourism and mass media.
Kurtulmus noted that, first of all, the two countries would start strengthening the economic ties, including the tourism sphere, which is one of the major income items of the Turkey's budget. It would be followed by a considerable enhancement of cultural and public contacts between the two countries.
In June, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the air incident, in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
By doing so Ankara fulfilled Moscow’s condition for restoring the long-term partnership between the two countries. The letter also said a legal case was launched against a Turkish citizen suspected of involvement in the death of the downed plane’s pilot, which was another precondition.
On June 29, Erdogan and Putin agreed in a phone talk to meet in person later this year. Putin then lifted the ban on charter flights to Turkey and ordered the government to negotiate trade revival with Ankara.
