Russia and Turkey have agreed to continue working together to improve the safety and resilience of urban infrastructure in areas at risk of earthquakes. This was highlighted in a statement from Russia’s Ministry of Construction following the first meeting of the Russian-Turkish Working Group on Urban Development.
According to Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing Sergey Muzychenko, both sides outlined future steps for international cooperation aimed at enhancing the safety and sustainability of urban infrastructure, particularly in regions with high seismic activity.
During the meeting, representatives from Russia’s Ministry of Construction and Turkey’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change discussed cooperation in urban planning, reconstruction efforts following earthquakes, and technical regulations in the construction sector. The Russian delegation was led by Sergey Muzychenko, while the Turkish side was represented by Deputy Minister Omer Bulut.
Key topics on the agenda included territorial planning principles, master plan development, and zoning regulations. Both sides also shared experiences on urban design standards, requirements for social infrastructure, and procedures for issuing construction permits and commissioning buildings.
Following the working group session, the Russian delegation met with Hatay Province Governor Mustafa Masatlı, who described how the province managed to rapidly restore residential, public, and critical infrastructure after the earthquake.
On the second day of their visit, the Russian delegation toured ongoing reconstruction projects in Turkey, including residential areas, social and industrial facilities, and historic and culturally significant landmarks.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Moscow-Live/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS