Putin, Erdogan discuss Nagorno-Karabakh and South Stream

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral relations and conflicts at the session of the Russian-Turkish Council for Top-Level Cooperation today. Putin emphasized that differences between the two states could not stop the political dialogue and economic cooperation, including cooperation within the framework of the UN and G20.

Erdogan noted that they had discussed Syria, Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict and the situation in Iraq.Putin confirmed plans to start building the South Stream Gas Pipeline in the exclusive economic zone of Turkey to pump 27 billion cubic meters of gas. He expressed hope that Turkey would provide benefits and guarantees for Rosatom’s construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. Turkish companies will realize about 25% of $20 billion invested in the project.

The Russian leader proposed an exchange of tourism festivals. Turkey is the main destination of Russian tourists. A record of 4 million Russian tourists may be set in Turkey in 2013. 100,000 Turkish tourists visit Russia annually.

Erdogan responded with a proposal to increase Russian-Turkish trade turnover to $100 billion by 2020. He also spoke about the emergance of Russian bank Sberbank on the Turkish market.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral relations and conflicts at the session of the Russian-Turkish Council for Top-Level Cooperation today. Putin emphasized that differences between the two states could not stop the political dialogue and economic cooperation, including cooperation within the framework of the UN and G20.Erdogan noted that they had discussed Syria, Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict and the situation in Iraq.Putin confirmed plans to start building the South Stream Gas Pipeline in the exclusive economic zone of Turkey to pump 27 billion cubic meters of gas. He expressed hope that Turkey would provide benefits and guarantees for Rosatom’s construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. Turkish companies will realize about 25% of $20 billion invested in the project.The Russian leader proposed an exchange of tourism festivals. Turkey is the main destination of Russian tourists. A record of 4 million Russian tourists may be set in Turkey in 2013. 100,000 Turkish tourists visit Russia annually.Erdogan responded with a proposal to increase Russian-Turkish trade turnover to $100 billion by 2020. He also spoke about the emergance of Russian bank Sberbank on the Turkish market.