Turkey, Russia to 'continue cooperation against terror' despite assassination of Karlov

Russia and Turkey vowed to deepen cooperation in the fight against terror following the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov in a gun attack on Dec. 19. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan both condemned the attack, saying relations between the two countries would remain firm and vowing to fight jointly against terror in the face of "provocations." 

In a televised speech on Dec. 19, Erdoğan said the assassination of Karlov was an "open provocation" against Turkey-Russia relations.

"We know that this is a provocation especially to hamper the normalization process between Turkey and Russia, but both the Russian government and the Turkish government have the will to not submit to this provocation," said Erdoğan. 

He added that upon his talk with Putin both of them "agreed that especially in the fight against international terror, our solidarity will be much stronger." 

"As we have agreed with Putin, we will launch a joint investigation commission," Erdoğan also said, conveying Ankara's keen interest in enlightening the assassination that was carried out by a 22-year-old Turkish riot police officer.   

Erdoğan added that Turkey would increase security measures around Russian diplomatic buildings and people. 

Putin also described the assassination of Karlov as "a provocation" and vowed that it would only "fortify Russia's fight against terrorism." 

"The best response to the attack against the Russian ambassador is strengthening the fight against terror," he said, adding that a state medal will be granted on behalf of Karlov.

"A crime has been committed and it was without doubt a provocation aimed at spoiling the normalization of...