MOSCOW. March 15 (Interfax) - Russia and Turkey have taken the path of partnership, and there is no reason to worry about the delivery of Russian S-400 air defense missile systems to Turkey, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the 'Russia - Country of Opportunity' forum in Moscow.
"I do not think there should be any fears. The agreements reached in regard to Syria are unprecedented: we have managed to bring together three actors [Russia, Iran, and Turkey] which are far from being on the same page about the Syria situation and which have quite different interests in this region," Lavrov said.
A forum delegate asked Lavrov whether the delivery of Russia's S-400 air defense systems to Turkey would eventually pose a risk.
"I see as the greatest achievement the realization that we are neighbors who should comprehend each other's interests and reach agreements, which would prevent a clash of our interests on the foreign diplomatic field and help reconcile them," Lavrov said.
"It is true that we have fought Turkey many times and that those wars were bloody and fierce. The fact that this generation of Turkish and Russian leaders, being fully aware of our history, which is far from simple, is determined to take the path of partnership, which I would call strategic, demonstrates the wisdom of the leaders who are making such decisions," he said.
"There are no eternal enemies, but there is the inability to choose a course of action that serves your interests but doesn't offend, infringe on, or ignore the interests of your partner. Turkey is our neighbor. There should be no quarrels with neighbors. I am convinced of this," Lavrov said.