Vladimir Putin and President
of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan took part in the sixth meeting of the High-Level
Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council.
March 10, 2017
19:30
The Kremlin, Moscow
1 of 6
Sixth meeting
of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council.
The entire scope
of Russian-Turkish relations with a focus on the further
restoration of mutually beneficial trade and economic ties was
discussed. The presidents also exchanged views on topical issues
of the regional and international agenda.
A package of documents has
been signed following the meeting.
The heads of states gave
a joint news conference.
* * *
Remarks at the meeting
of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council
President of Russia Vladimir
Putin: Mr President, colleagues, friends,
It is a great honour
and pleasure for me to welcome you in Moscow
at the sixth meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish
Cooperation Council.
The meeting in this format
is taking place after a pause that was caused by the well-known
tragic events. Proactive political dialogue resumed between our countries,
and so did efforts by foreign ministers to coordinate strategic
planning. The mixed intergovernmental commission and bilateral civil
society forum have also resumed their work.
Russia and Turkey have great
potential for further advancing their neighbourly relations. Together, not
only can we make up for the opportunities that were lost, but also
raise our cooperation to a new level. At least Russia is willing
to do so and committed to moving in this direction.
The President
and I have just discussed the most urgent matters
on the bilateral agenda, and agreed on the need
to strengthen bilateral relations in the spirit
of an advanced multifaceted partnership.
As we hold this expanded meeting
with members of our governments and business leaders, I hope
that we will be able to discuss specific areas of cooperation
in the same business-like and constructive manner, as well
as outline goals and reference points on all issues
on the bilateral agenda.
Let me emphasise that Turkey is one
of Russia’s main trade partners, while Russia is a key export market
for Turkey. However, we have to acknowledge that bilateral trade has
been declining in recent years. In 2016, it shrank by almost one
third, all but reaching a level last seen a decade ago. We hope that
we will be able to reverse this negative trend as soon as this
year. This is what the intergovernmental commission aims to achieve,
as does the intergovernmental programme on trade, economic,
scientific and technical cooperation to be adopted today.
We also need to further
stimulate mutual investment. Russia and Turkey have already reached
significant results in terms of mutual investment, which stands
at about $10 billion on each side. Of course, much more can be achieved.
Proactive efforts by the Russian-Turkish investment fund are also
to bring about new projects.
It is gratifying that we have been
able to establish strategic cooperation in the energy sector.
Turkey is Russia’s second largest natural gas importer. Last month,
the intergovernmental agreement on the major project
to build the Turkish Stream gas pipeline network came into force.
This project will help increase natural gas supplies to Turkey
and develop its transit potential.
Rosatom is designing the Akkuyu
nuclear power plant, the first nuclear power facility in Turkey.
Power Machines is involved in upgrading Turkey’s hydropower
infrastructure. There are also great prospects for expanding cooperation
in the metals industry, car manufacturing, production of agricultural
produce and machinery.
Business communities in both
countries are interested in expanding cooperation in such areas
as innovation, research and technology. By stepping up bilateral
economic ties, we could increase the share of mutual settlements in national
currencies, and we know that the President is a proactive
supporter of initiatives of this kind. Creating infrastructure
in Turkey for the Mir Card Payment System would be
a concrete step in this direction, as we have mentioned today
during the one-on-one meeting.
Military technical cooperation
deserves special attention, as well as contacts between law
enforcement agencies and secret services, particularly
on counter-terrorist efforts. Russian law enforcement agencies are
interested in exchanging information on the movement
of persons involved in terrorist activity in our countries.
There are good prospects for further expanding cultural ties.
In 2019, Russia and Turkey are to hold cross-years of culture
and tourism.
Colleagues, before I give the floor
to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, let me say
a few words about how this meeting will proceed.
As usual, we will hear
presentations by foreign ministers who co-chair the joint strategic
planning group, as well as the heads of the intergovernmental
commission and civil society forum.
In addition, during
the meeting, and at the working breakfast, other ministers
and heads of agencies will have an opportunity to speak.
I hope that both sides will actively contribute to this meeting.
Thank you for your attention.
The floor is yours.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip
Erdogan (retranslated): Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure
to see you all here.
On behalf of our
delegation, and myself, thank you very much for your kind invitation.
Today, on behalf of our
country and on behalf of our region, we are taking very
important steps, and I hope that our meeting here will facilitate
the adoption of constructive decisions.
In our official statements,
I believe we can dispense with the phrase “normalisation
of relations” because we believe we have already passed this stage
on issues such as Syria and regional security. We have
considered these issues. We often hold telephone conversations
in the course of which we address these issues.
Of course, we should keep our
communication channels, our diplomatic channels open. The civic society
forum is primarily an organisation that provides an impetus
to ties between our countries. We attach great importance
to increasing our trade and developing our economic ties. We seek
to increase our trade.
Unfortunately, recently,
the volume of trade has declined, but we set the goal
of increasing it and we will certainly work to consolidate
the legal basis to advance our economic relations. To this end,
we should take all the necessary steps without delay and we should
eliminate all impediments to the development of our relations.
Those firms and companies that are now represented in Russia should
be relieved of the sanctions and restrictions that were imposed
on them.
The first point I would
like to make is that it is necessary to increase the frequency
of flights between our countries, making them unlimited.
Secondly, we should promote
cooperation and get Turkish industrialists involved
in the supply of Russian-made MS-21 airplanes.
Our energy cooperation is very close
today. I would like to mention primarily the Turkish Stream
project, which is already under way.
Regarding the construction
of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, the rapid implementation
of this project is of vital importance to us. We constantly
monitor the development and implementation of these projects.
As for our military
cooperation, we addressed it in the course of our one-on-one
talks. Cooperation in this area is very important.
To be continued.
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