This came during a joint press conference held by Lavrov in Moscow with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, following talks that addressed bilateral relations and a number of regional and international issues.
Lavrov said that dialogue between Russia and Turkey is continuing intensively at various levels, noting that Moscow and Ankara reject Israeli statements rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, as they contradict UN resolutions.
He added that both sides agree on the need to improve the situation in Syria, support efforts to promote stability and territorial integrity in Libya, and continue working to consolidate peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Lavrov praised Turkish efforts aimed at reaching a political settlement to the conflict, stressing that any sustainable solution requires addressing the root causes of the crisis and guaranteeing the rights of the Russian-speaking population.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been waging a military offensive against its neighbor Ukraine, and has stipulated that ending the offensive requires Kyiv to "abandon" joining Western military entities, which the latter considers "unacceptable interference" in its internal affairs.
Regarding bilateral relations, the Russian minister noted the continued cooperation between the two countries in the energy and tourism sectors, including the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project in Mersin Province, southern Turkey. He explained that Moscow and Ankara agree on strengthening coordination to ensure security in the Black Sea region.
Lavrov expressed his country’s concern about the threats targeting the “Turkish Stream” and “Blue Stream” pipelines, as well as the risks facing maritime navigation in the region.
