Breaking news: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where he will attend the 24th Summit of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Erdoğan met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Putin said, “Despite all the difficulties in the world, relations between Russia and Turkey are developing and advancing step by step.”
“RUSSIA-Türkiye RELATIONS ARE PROGRESSING”
Erdoğan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his visit. In his speech during the open-to-press meeting, Putin stated that he and President Erdoğan are in constant contact, and said, “We are exchanging views on our bilateral relations and discussing the situation in the region. We have not met for a long time. I am pleased to meet face to face. I would like to state that despite all the difficulties in the world, relations between Russia and Turkey are developing and advancing step by step.” Drawing attention to the fact that there has been a slight decrease in the trade volume between the two countries in recent months, Putin said, “However, our annual trade volume is 55 billion dollars, which is not a small figure. Various strategic projects are being implemented in a planned manner. We also broke a record in tourism. Last year, 6.7 million Russian tourists visited Turkey. I would like to thank you for the favorable conditions you provide for our tourists.”
“OUR GOAL IS A TRADE VOLUME OF 100 BILLION DOLLARS”
President Erdoğan also stated that he and Putin have not been able to meet face to face for a long time but have had phone conversations, and that the ministers of both countries are in constant contact. Speaking about joint projects between Turkey and Russia, Erdoğan said, “We have discussions regarding the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant. We believe that we can take serious steps in this regard. Our Minister of Energy and Natural Resources continues his discussions with his counterpart regarding this issue. In the meantime, especially the relations between BOTAŞ and GAZPROM continue in a cordial atmosphere. As you have stated, this trade volume of 55 billion dollars is not very important to us. Our goal was to reach 100 billion dollars. I believe that we can reach this 100 billion dollars. We have such potential.”
INVITATION TO PUTIN FROM Türkiye
Erdoğan, who emphasized that it is very important for approximately 7 million tourists to come to Turkey in terms of tourism, said, “It is important for Russian tourists to be hosted in Turkey. Our sincerity on this issue continues with the same determination. We will continue this in the same way. As long as Russian tourists are satisfied with Turkey. We are good and strong as a destination. We will continue this in the same way. Beyond this warm relationship between Russia and Turkey, I want to host you in my country as soon as possible.” Putin also responded to Erdoğan’s invitation by stating that he will definitely come to Turkey.
President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan are accompanied on the visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, and Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat.
INTERVIEW ENDED
The meeting between the two leaders ended after approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
(UAV)
