Russian President Vladimir Putin's talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan may, in the Turkish leader's words, "open a new page in bilateral relations." Putin stressed the increased role of TurkStream, which has become "one of the most important arteries for supplying Russian gas to Europe," and noted Erdogan's contribution to organizing the export of Ukrainian grain by sea.
TASS collected the main statements of the two leaders from the public part of the negotiations.
Ukrainian grain
The Russian president noted his Turkish counterpart's participation in resolving the issue related to the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports. Putin thanked Erdogan for launching the exports "and for the fact that at the same time a package decision was made on uninterrupted deliveries of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets."
Despite the fact that the Russian leader has previously repeatedly stressed that Russia does not prevent the export of Ukrainian grain, Kiev has long refused to launch this process. It was possible to move the matter with the mediation of Turkey and the United Nations - on July 22 in Istanbul a package of documents on the supply of foodstuffs and fertilizers to the international market was signed. In particular, a Joint Coordination Center was established in Istanbul, where representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN monitor the routes of ships with Ukrainian grain and inspect the ships to prevent arms smuggling. On August 1, the first carrier laden with grain left the port of Odessa. In addition, the UN has pledged to facilitate lifting of anti-Russian restrictions that hinder normal trade of food and fertilizers.
Putin stressed that the issue of food supply is relevant "for very many countries, especially for developing countries, which are on the verge of major problems with the supply of food, fertilizers."
TurkStream
Putin called TurkStream "one of the most important pipes of Russian gas supply to Europe" and noted that the gas pipeline "unlike all other directions of our hydrocarbon supplies works properly and rhythmically without any failures."
At the same time, the Nord Stream pipeline which provides Europe with the bulk of Russian gas has been running with limitations since mid-June. Pumping since late July is at 20% of the rated capacity. As it was repeatedly stressed in Gazprom explanations, this was caused by numerous sanctions, imposed by the West against Russia. In particular, the adopted restrictions prevent delivery of the turbine, which was under repair at the Siemens plant in Canada. It is now in Germany, where they are trying to get it to Russia.
"I think European partners should be grateful to Turkey for ensuring uninterrupted transit of our gas to the European market," Putin concluded.
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
For Ankara, the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant by Rosatom remains very important. According to Erdogan, "it is necessary to perform the works in a way to keep them on schedule."
Akkuyu will be the first nuclear power plant in Turkey. Once all the four power generation units are commissioned it will produce around 35 billion kilowatt-hours per year, which will cover up to 10% of the country's needs. According to Rosatom Director Alexei Likhachev, the construction of the fourth unit was launched on July 21 and the nuclear fuel for the first unit is scheduled to be delivered to the nuclear power plant in May 2023. The project is fully financed by the Russian side, and the costs will be recouped after the plant is commissioned through revenues from electricity sales.
Situation in Syria
Both presidents expressed their readiness to discuss the situation in Syria. "Here Turkey and Russia have contributed very much to the normalization of the situation," Putin noted.
Bilateral relations
According to Putin, Russia and Turkey have plenty of bilateral projects to implement. He reminded that "the trade turnover increased by 57 percent and it doubled during first months of the year till May inclusive.
For his part, Erdogan expressed hope that the talks "will open a new page in bilateral relations." According to him, in Sochi, the two leaders plan to "put a point in the question of how to move forward."
The meeting should result in the signing of a memorandum on the development of trade relations between Russia and Turkey.
GSV ''Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofiev\TASS
Based on materials TASS