Turkish assembly to renew friendship with Russian Duma

By Alp Ozden

ANKARA

The Turkish parliament is to renew parliamentary ties with the Russian Duma following the resumption of good relations between Ankara and Moscow, a parliamentary official said Friday.

The Grand National Assembly had suspended the friendship group relationship with Russian lawmakers during the political fallout following the downing of a Russian jet by the Turkish Air Force over the Turkey-Syria border in November last year.

After presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin resolved the dispute in June, the assembly will reconnect with Duma members over the coming days, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Friendship groups develop relationships and cooperation between Turkish lawmakers and their overseas counterparts. There are currently more than 100 such groups. Turkey is also planning to develop links to the parliament in Chad.

Reporting by Alp Ozden;Writing by Fatma Bulbul