Russian FM, Turkish ambassador unveil Andrei Karlov commemorative plaque in Moscow
MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The unveiling ceremony of a commemorative plaque in honor of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov killed in Turkey has taken place in Moscow on Tuesday, an Interfax correspondent reported.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Moscow Mayor Leonid Pechatnikov participated in the ceremony. Karlov's widow and son, the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee chair Konstantin Kosachyov, and Turkish Ambassador to Russia Huseyin Dirioz were among the attendees.
"Ambassador Karlov was a comrade, a close friend, one of the best of our diplomats," the Russian foreign minister said.
Lavrov recalled that shortly before Karlov's death, the Russian president highly praised him "for his selfless work, his highest standard of professionalism, and the ability to put service to the homeland above everything else."
"The scope of his work also includes [North] Korea, where he made a significant contribution to the development of relations along the proper vector, unfortunately, this vector has gone awry a bit at the moment. And the consulate department, where he greatly improved the effectiveness of work," Lavrov said, having noted Karlov's contribution to the development of relations between Russia and Turkey.
Following the unveiling of the plaque and speeches, Lavrov and Pechatnikov laid baskets with flowers near it.
People's Artist of the Russian Federation Professor Alexander Rukavishnikov created the commemorative plaque.
The plaque bearing the inscription: "Andrei Karlov lived in this house" was installed at 24/2 Petrozavodskaya Street.
Karlov was killed by a terrorist at the opening of a photo exhibition in Ankara on December 19, 2016. The attacker said that he committed the murder of the diplomat in response to Russia's policy in Syria. Special forces eliminated the attacker.
The Russian Foreign Ministry classified the attack as an act of terrorism. Karlov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia.