Ahmet Palankoyev: "Political positions of Russia and Turkey are coming closer"

Interview by Oleg Kusov. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

Yesterday in Moscow the deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Karasin and his Turkish colleague Sinirlioglu discussed cooperation between the countries in the Eurasian region, as well as the situation in Ukraine and the South Caucasus. The dynamic of the Russian-Turkish dialogue on regional and international problems was encouraged by the last visit to Ankara by Vladimir Putin. Ahmet Palankoyev, the head of the Russian-Turkish Dialogue Council, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the prospects of these relations.

- You have said many times that Russian-Turkish relations have a strategic character. What are our economic ties like?

- I would like to say that our relations have reached quite a new level. The level of integration is indeed great. Today we are interested in each other as never before. Moreover, the integration process is speeding up. That is why I am very optimistic.

- What is the role of the North Caucasian republics, and Ingushetia in particular, in this process?

- Other regions play a much more important role, for instance, Tatarstan. Turkish-Tatar trade turnover is hitting 1.6 billion. Such regions as Ulyanovsk and Kaluga also play important roles in mutual economic ties. Unfortunately, this could not be said about the Caucasus, including Ingushetia. However, we are going to work on that. Right now we are planning several events aimed at promoting ties with regions of the North Caucasus, particularly at embassies. We are going to hold presentations, with Turkish businessmen especially, we will have a presentation of Ingushetia. I hope that we will succeed. I will use my position to increase in Ingushetia and not only in Ingushetia... I believe that the republics of the North Caucasus have great prospects as potential partners for Turkey.

- There is a large Caucasian Diaspora in Turkey.

- There are also cultural ties which play an important role. People find each other, they have someone to rely on, to consult, to ask for help. It means a lot sometimes.

- On December 1st Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Turkey. You were among members of the official delegation. A number of documents were signed. Eight, if I am not mistaken. Which would you stress in particular?

- First of all I would like to stress that the visit was very constructive. There was a will to solve all the raised issues and not to create obstacles. Indeed, very important agreements were signed. As you know, the most important is the gas deal.

- Do you mean the agreement on establishing a gas hub?

- I mean the well-known agreement and the memorandum of mutual understanding signed by Gazprom and Turkey's BOTAS Petroleum, as well as the joint memorandum of the Russian and Turkish ministries of energy. It is an agreement on energy efficiency, sustainability, renewal of energy. There was also a document signed by Rosatom. As you know, Rosatom is building an atomic power plant in Turkey. The project is worth 20 billion dollars. This station will be built not only with Russian money. Russian companies will build it and make use of it. It is an example of deep integration. Moreover, we signed several documents concerning mutual cooperation in the spheres of trade, investment, support for medium-sized and small enterprises, cooperation in the field of labor and social security and employment, on the legal extradition of criminals, criminal cases, etc. We signed documents on everything starting from economic issues and ending with legal issues. It is very broad ranging. Of course, the main statement was the announcement of construction of an alternative pipeline to export gas.

- What do you think about this project?

- My opinion is based on the current situation. It is the only right and necessary project for Russia, and, of course, it is very beneficial for Turkey. Today, as we know, Turkey consumes about 16 billion cubic meters of gas, and Turkey has a growing economy and a need to increase gas supplies. They are ready to to buy it from us. This pipeline will also allow gas to be exported to Turkey through a hub which will be built on the border with Greece, and, if necessary, to sell gas to Europe. I think it is a good alternative to the Ukrainian pipeline. It will be beneficial for Russia, because it will give it options, there will not be a monopoly. It will be possible to have different options.