Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

Commander of NATO forces in Europe, General Curtis Skaparotti said on Thursday that the resumption of cooperation between Russia and Turkey is "a positive step" for NATO, RIA Novosti reported.

"We have encouraged Turkey to solve the problem with Russia and restore the cracked relations after downed Russian bomber Su-24," said Skaparotti at a security forum in Aspen, the U.S. State of Colorado. "It is a positive step that the sides have left it behind. Hence, they can work closer with us on the border with Syria."

The general added they are closely watching the further development of relations between two countries.

The crisis in relations between Russia and Turkey began after the incident with the downed Russian plane on November 15. After the incident, the Russian president signed a decree on measures to ensure national security and launch special economic measures against Turkey.

The turning point in the situation came after the letter of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his Russian counterpart, where he expressed condolences to the family of the deceased pilot of SU-24 and regret over the incident with the Russian aircraft.

On June 29 the presidents of Russia and Turkey held a telephone conversation to normalize their cracked relations.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on August 9 in St. Petersburg. The issues of normalization of relations and a series of economic and political issues are expected to be discussed during the visit.

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