No 'taboo' topics between Russia, Turkey, says envoy

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu

ANKARA

There are no "forbidden" topics between Moscow and Ankara, according to Russia’s new Ambassador to Turkey Alexei Yerkhov.

‘We discuss all the issues of mutual interest. There are no forbidden topics between us, we do not have taboos. And discussion of all these issues is conducted in the form of a direct, mutually beneficial, and friendly dialogue," Yerkhov told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

"This is quite important," he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a working visit on Sept. 28 to Ankara, where he met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and recent regional developments, particularly Syria and Iraq.

About the leaders’ meeting, Yerkhov said it was "productive" and added: "They discussed international developments. Regional problems were also handled. The most critical issues topping our bilateral ties were addressed."

The ambassador said bilateral relations are developing "successfully".

Yerkhov, previously head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Crisis Management Center, replaced Andrey Karlov, who was assassinated at an art exhibition in Ankara last December.

Turkish-Russian relations were tested after Karlov's assassination, but Putin described the shooting as a "provocation" designed to undermine bilateral ties.