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Turkish PM expects no problems with Russian gas supplies

This issue is regulated by international legislation, and not only one side will come off a loser if gas supplies are stopped, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu EPA/SEDAT SUNA

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

© EPA/SEDAT SUNA

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ANKARA, December 14. /TASS/. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in an interview with the country's A Haber television on Monday there is currently no talk of halting Russian gas supplies to Ankara amid the current spat.

"I don’t think Russia will evade its commitments under the existing gas contracts. There is no talk on halting gas deliveries. This issue is regulated by international legislation. Not only one side will come off a loser [if gas supplies are stopped]," Davutoglu said.

The Turkish prime minister said he thinks no problems will be in the gas sphere but Ankara "will continue taking all the necessary measures" in case of any difficulties.

Speaking on Sunday’s incident in the Aegean Sea when Russian patrol ship Smetlivy was forced to fire warning shots as a Turkish seiner vessel approached it, Davutoglu said "the necessary diplomatic measures have been taken."

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"Let’s discuss these issues with [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov or as part of delegations. We said - let’s act together to have a possibility to take the necessary steps. We want to have open communication channels with Russia."

"But I want everyone to know: our air, ground and sea space is closed," he stressed.

Ties between Russia and Turkey deteriorated after the incident on November 24 when a Turkish F-16 fighter jet brought down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M bomber, which, Ankara alleges, violated the country’s airspace near the Syrian border. The Russian Defense Ministry said the warplane was flying over Syrian territory and had never violated Turkey’s airspace.

Moscow has announced economic sanctions against Turkey over the attack that President Vladimir Putin has described as "stab in Russia’s back" delivered by terrorists’ accomplices.

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan