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Turkey 'positive' about puchasing Russian air defense systems — official

Erdogan's representative explained that Turkey might be prepared to sign an agreement with the country that proves capable of meeting its demand for air defense systems

ANKARA, October 14. /TASS/. Turkey and Russia are discussing likely guidelines for cooperation in the military-technical sphere, Turkish presidential representative Ibrahim Kalyn told the media on Friday.

He recalled that bilateral cooperation in the military-technical sphere was discussed when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Istanbul on October 10.

"The negotiations in Istanbul achieved agreement on the development of cooperation with Russia in the defense industry. The agencies concerned are now working on details. Turkey’s defense industry department is holding talks with Russian counterparts over likely cooperation guidelines," he said, when asked if Turkey was going to purchase long-range air defense systems from Russia.

"In principle we are positive about that," Kalyn said. 

The spokesman added that when the national security matters were at stake, Turkey would be prepared to come to the negotiating table and sign an agreement with the country that proves capable of meeting its demand for air defense systems.