“Turkey Continues to Cooperate with Russia”

Admiral Bulent Bostanoglu, the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, said Turkish-Russian cooperation continues despite political problems.

He gave a speech in a symposium which was organized by Turkish Naval Academy on April 13. He said “Despite the fact that Russian Federation gives various problems, we are continuing to carry out cooperation in this sense. Cooperation will produce results. Therefore, we know that maritime security nowadays can only be guaranteed by working together,” Hurriyet Daily News reported.

He underlined the importance of the naval security issue and called the world for cooperation by saying: “We need the security to take advantage in the sea. As Turkish Naval Forces, we work on this concept for 30 years. Military organizations of different countries take responsibility. So we continue our cooperation with Russia despite their problematic approaches. We believe that the security might be guaranteed by the joint undertaking.”

The relations between Turkey and Russia have worsened since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in November 2015 for violating Turkish airspace. Turkey declares that it is ready to normalize relations in all areas. Russia needs to use the Turkish Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits. The commander clarified that relations continue on the military level.