ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on Thursday, and expressed regret over the terrorist attack in Beslan city of North Ossetia.
Sources quoted Putin as saying that he was sad to postpone his visit to Turkey. The same sources said that Putin expressed willingness to visit Turkey soon. The sources also noted that Erdogan expressed sorrow over the death of some Russian citizens in the terrorist attack.
Erdogan said, ''it is without any doubt that Turkey is against every kind of terrorism, whatever its logic is. We wish this incident (in Ossetia) will be solved in the possible shortest term and without people lose their lives. We are a nation who suffered much from terrorism and, therefore, we share your sorrow. ''
On the other hand, Putin stated that preparations made before his visit to Turkey were very beneficial to both parties, and added, ''texts of agreements planned to be signed during my visit to Turkey were very beneficial. We are determined to put all these (agreements) into force soon.''
(BRC-ULG) 02.09.2004