ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate cease-fire between Russia and Georgia, describing the conflict in the Caucasus as "very worrisome."
"What we have been saying from the very first day was an immediate cease-fire and start of diplomatic talks," Erdogan told reporters on Monday.
"The Caucasus is a fragile region. Parties in this region should develop diplomacy together with an immediate cease-fire for peace," he said.
Asked about Russian news reports claiming that Erdogan called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin but could not speak with him and Putin did not call him back because Turkey was selling arms to Georgia, Erdogan said, "I have not asked for an appointment with Mr. Putin. These reports are baseless and do not reflect the truth. I would say more clearly that they are all lies."
"But I am thinking about talking with Mr. Putin. I will call him," Erdogan said.
On selling arms to Georgia, Erdogan said, "all countries do that. Today Russian Federation sells arms, and so do we. All these things are normal."
"We have been selling arms, from heavy weapons to armored vehicles, to several countries, and buying arms from different countries, including Russia," he said.
(TÇ-AÖ)
(DIP)