Russia, Turkey incur economic losses following events of Nov 2015 - Turkish economy minister
ST. PETERSBURG. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Russia and Turkey have incurred economic losses following the events in November 2015, when bilateral relations between the two countries dramatically worsened after the Turkish Air Force downed a Russian bomber, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said at a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Turkey and members of the Russian and Turkish business communities in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
"We are displaying will today to return to the level that existed before November 24, 2015, when that well-known unpleasant and sad incident occurred. Neither party benefited from what happened, and both incurred losses," he said.
While cooperation between Russia and Turkey was actively developing and new prospects were opening up to the business communities in both countries, it was absolutely senseless to incur such great losses, Zeybekci said. Russia and Turkey should resume the positive trends and processes that existed in cooperation between the two countries before November 24, 2015 as soon as possible, he said.
"We are extremely satisfied and glad to see that the top leaderships of our countries, the relevant ministries and other agencies, the business communities, and civil society members are willing to do so," Zeybekci said.
While there were some problems even when relations between the two countries were developing normally, Russia and Turkey have the necessary mechanisms to resolve them, he said.
In particular, the Turkish minister mentioned the existence of an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation and business councils on both sides.
