Lavrov Urges Turkey Not to Interfere in Its Neighbors’ Affairs

MOSCOW- Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged Turkey not to interfere in the affairs of its neighboring countries, noting that there is evidence of the Turkish government’s involvement in supporting terrorism.

“Now it is important for our Turkish neighbors to set a course for stopping interference in the affairs of any country, be it Iraq or be it Syria.” “There is plenty of evidence that Turkey, in spite of all appeals, pushes ahead with such interference and continues to support terrorism,” the Russian minister said, according to Itar Tass New Agency.

 Lavrov made the remarks during his meeting on Monday with his Moldavian counterpart Andrei Galbur.

The Russian minister said Russia is not accusing external forces, including Ankara, of tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“We are not accusing any external forces and any external players of provoking the current outbreak of tensions (in Nagorno-Karabakh),” Lavrov said. “Nor do we accuse Ankara.”

“I don’t venture to judge what role Ankara played or did not play or continues to play with regard to Nagorno-Karabakh,” Lavrov said. “However, it would be appropriate for everyone, including Turkey and the Turkish people, to make sure that Ankara focuses on stopping the support of terrorism. I think that’s the idea I can safely express, and we will act in favor of this.”

Hamda Mustafa