| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
FOREIGN envoys in Brunei Darussalam yesterday signed a condolence book to pay tribute to the late Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Turkey Andrey Karlov, who was recently assassinated in the Turkish capital, Ankara, while delivering a speech at the opening of a photo exhibition at a local art gallery.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Brunei Darussalam Vladlen Semivolos welcomed the arriving envoys.
In an interview with the media, Vladlen Semivolos said, “To kill an ambassador or a diplomat in any country is considered to be out of international norm.
“The job of a diplomat is to bring peace, enhance cooperation, promote security and friendly relations as well as to establish mutual understanding between different nations. To kill such person is considered to be very horrific.
“In our opinion, this event once again proves that we should be more active in fighting international terrorists,” he said.
Among those present to sign the condolence book were Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Brunei Darussalam Abdolhamid Fekri, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam Yang Jian and other foreign envoys.
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Brunei Darussalam Abdolhamid Fekri (pic above) and Ambassador of the Peo-ple’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam Yang Jian (pic below) signing the condolence book.- PHOTOS: SYAZWANI HJ ROSLI
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Brunei Darussalam Vladlen Semivolos speaks to the media.
The condolence book was opened for signing from 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm yesterday, and will be opened today also at the same time, at the Russian Embassy located at No 8, Simpang 189-41-30 in Kampong Manggis 2.
Following the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Andrey Karlov “was an outstanding diplomat who was highly regarded in Turkey. He had very good relations with top Turkish officials and other political forces, who respected him.”
Serving as the Ambassador to Turkey since 2013, he was not only dedicated to the cause of the Russia-Turkey relations, but strove to bring peace to the region.
“This crime is undeniably a provocation aimed at derailing the normalisation of Russian-Turkish relations and the peace process in Syria, which is actively promoted by Russia, Turkey and Iran and other countries interested in the settlement of the internal conflict in Syria.
“There can only be one response – stepping up the fight against terrorism, which the criminals will find out firsthand,” the Russian president added.
The treacherous crime, which took the life of a prominent Russian diplomat, will not go unpunished. The perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the barbaric act will be brought to justice. An agreement has already been reached between Russia and Turkey to conduct a joint investigation.
Andrey Karlov was born in 1954. He started his diplomatic career in 1976, working in different positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR and Russia, as well as foreign missions.
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