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Turkish president's spokesman comments on Erdogan's letter to Putin - UPDATED

UPDATED '>

27 June 2016 18:28 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a letter to his Russian counterpart calling for the restoration of “traditional friendly ties,” Turkey’s presidential spokesman confirmed on Monday, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Ibrahim Kalin said that Erdogan expressed “deep regret” over last year’s shooting down of a Russian warplane which violated Turkey’s airspace.

“I would like to send my condolences to the family of the pilot who lost his life and express one more time that I share their pain. I am saying to his family: 'Excuse us'," said Kalin, quoting Erdogan’s words to President Vladimir Putin contained in the letter.

Kalin added that Erdogan used the communication to call for anti-terrorist cooperation between Turkey and Russia and joint efforts to solve regional crises.

The spokesman added that Ankara and Moscow had agreed to take necessary steps to improve relations.

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17:28

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered his apologies to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the death of the pilot of the downed Russian plane, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday, APA reports citing to TASS.

According to the Kremlin, the message notes that Russia is Turkey’s friend and strategic partner the Turkish authorities don’t want to upset relations with. "We have never had a deliberate plan to shoot down a Russian plane," Erdogan reportedly said in his message.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a message from Turkey’s President Erdogan where the Turkish leader expressed his readiness to settle the situation over the downing of the Russian warplane," Peskov said.

"Having assumed the risks and exerted great effort, we recovered the body of the Russian pilot from the Syrian opposition to take it to Turkey," the message said as quoted by the Kremlin press service. "Pre-funeral procedures were organized in conformity with religious and military procedures. And we did it all at a due level."

Erdogan offered his deep condolences to the family of the killed Russian pilot. "I am saying, ‘I am sorry.’ I share your grief with all my heart. We consider the family of the Russian pilot as a Turkish family. We are ready for any initiative in the name of easing the pain and gravity of the damage we have done," the document says.