ArmInfo.Despite all the current challenges in the world, relations between Russia and Turkiye are
nevertheless developing steadily, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on July 3 in Astana at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"We have noted a slight decline in trade turnover over the past few
months, but it remains at a fairly high level - $55 billion, if
calculated in dollar terms.
All our major projects are being implemented. In this sense,
everything is on schedule, according to plan. There are no
glitches>, as reported by the Kremlin press service, Putin said.
According to him, there were a record number of Russian tourists in
Turkiye in 2023, 6.3 million. <New projects are also planned, we are
very happy about this, as well as the opportunity to meet with you
today and in a personal conversation sum up the work for the past
year, outline the prospects for what we will do in the near future>,
he said.
As he noted, active work continues in a number of key areas of
international policy, ministries and departments exchange information
constantly, coordinate positions in key areas.
Erdogan, in turn, noted that for a long time they were unable to
meet, there was <telephone diplomacy>. But meanwhile, the relevant
agencies were in constant contact with each other. He expressed hope
that in the shortest possible time it will be possible to commission
the Akkuyu NPP (the largest Russian-Turkish joint project, ed. note).
There are contacts regarding the construction of a second nuclear
power plant in the city of Sinop, he added. According to him, Ankara
has set a goal of reaching the trade turnover mark of up to 100
billion dollars. "I believe that we will reach this mark. We have
such potential in this matter", Erdogan emphasized.
"I would also like to note one more thing. I expect to host you, Mr.
President, in my country in the shortest possible time", Erdogan
summarized.