"It is absolutely clear that in this case we are talking about an attempt to sabotage the process of Russian-Turkish relation normalization. The provocation was apparently orchestrated by forces opposing the development of bilateral cooperation, and was deliberately organized on the eve of a very important trilateral meeting [of the Iranian, Russian and Turkish foreign ministers on Syria crisis settlement] in Moscow," Conkar said.
Conkar stressed that Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was an outstanding diplomat, who made a great contribution to the development of relations between Ankara and Moscow.
"I would like to highlight that yesterday's tragedy was a real shock for us, it is a big personal loss," Conkar said.
The politician expressed hope that the tragic incident would not undermine the bilateral relations but strengthen them instead, as the leaders of the two countries managed to "correctly understand and evaluate the true purpose of the crime."
"We believe that the organizers of this crime will not be able to achieve their goals. Turkey and Russia will continue close cooperation aimed at ensuring regional and global peace," Conkar told Sputnik.
On Monday, Turkish police officer Mevlut Mert Altintas killed Karlov at an art gallery exhibition opening in Ankara. Three other people were also injured in the attack. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it considered the attack a terrorist act.
The attack came just a day before Turkish, Russian and Iranian foreign ministers were due to meet in Moscow to discuss settling the Syrian conflict. The sides decided to press on with the meeting despite the attack with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressing that the attack would not affect relations between Turkey and Russia.
Earlier on Tuesday, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara would not allow anyone to spoil relations with Russia.
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