RUSSIA READY TO TALK WITH TURKEY ABOUT AIRSPACE VIOLATION

Moscow, 23 Dzulhijjah 1436/7 October 2015 (MINA) — Russia’s deputy defense minister Anatoly Antonov said on Tuesday that Russia was prepared to talk to Turkish officials to prevent potential “misunderstandings” regarding its airstrikes in Syria.

The statement comes after a Russian fighter jet was intercepted by Turkish warplanes after violating Turkey’s airspace on Saturday.

“Russia’s defense ministry is ready to form a working group with any state regarding this issue. We will be pleased to host Turkish Defense Ministry officials in Moscow to prevent the misunderstandings about Syria,” Antonov said in a statement, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Moscow has indicated Monday that the Russian fighter jet that violated Turkish airspace did so because of “bad weather conditions”.

However NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that Russia’s incursion of Turkish airspace did “not look like an accident”. (T/P001/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)