Erdogan called relations with Putin honest and respectful

30 January 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called relations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and between the two countries in general honest and respectful.


"In relations with Russia, we have respect, trust. And my relations with Mr. Putin are based on honesty. And all our requests regarding Tatarstan, Dagestan and all these regions are answered," Erdogan said in a speech to young people in the city of Bilecik on Sunday. The speech of the Turkish president was broadcasted by TRT channel.


He recalled that "there were many threats" from other countries in connection with the topic of buying S-400 complexes [from Russia]. "But we bought the S-400s. And now we have the complexes in our pockets," the president said.


Erdogan also touched on the topic of supplying Turkey with F-16 and F-35 aircraft in connection with other countries' opposition to the purchase of the S-400s. "As for the F-16s, we want to receive them from you [the US], but you don't give them to us. We talked about the F-35, but you didn't keep your word. We paid about $1.4 billion, and you don't give it to us. You won't, but then there will be a price," he said.


Turkey intends to receive 40 F-16 fighters in Block 70 version and kits to upgrade the existing aircraft in service. This issue was suspended after Ankara bought S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Moscow. Turkey's participation in the F-35 fighter jet project was also terminated because of this deal. Opponents of Ankara's sale of F-16s in the Congress, its refusal to ratify the applications of Helsinki and Stockholm to join NATO and its relations with Moscow are mentioned as reasons. Turkey, in turn, says it does not accept any conditions for the deal that may be put forward by the US side.


Turkey's relations with Tatarstan and Dagestan


Turkey is one of the leading foreign partners of the Republic of Tatarstan. In December 2022 Head of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the Turkish-Tatarstan business forum organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bursa in the west of Turkey. He called for more active use of the potential of economic ties with Turkey.


The basis of products supplied by Tatarstan to Turkey is rubber, plastic products, oil products, products of inorganic chemistry, polymeric materials, wood products and others. Imports from Turkey are represented by mechanical and electrical equipment, articles of ferrous and non-precious metals, plastics, furs, leather and glass, furniture, pharmaceutical and other products.


Dagestan and Turkey are also establishing close ties in the sectors of industry, agriculture and tourism.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic world"

Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation

Based on materials from TASS