Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation in which they discussed the expansion of cooperation between the countries and also touched on major joint projects in the energy sector, the Kremlin press service reported on Thursday.
"Both sides stressed the mood for further expansion of mutually beneficial Russian-Turkish ties in various fields," the statement said. - "Among the priorities is the implementation of major joint projects in the energy sector."
Putin and Erdogan also discussed prospects for stepping up cooperation in the fight against the pandemic. They talked, among other things, about possible deliveries of Russian vaccines to Turkey and the organization of production of these drugs there.
"Prospects for increasing cooperation in countering the spread of the coronavirus infection, including possible deliveries and organization of production of Russian vaccines in Turkey were considered," the report said. It is noted that both sides "stressed the mood for further expansion of mutually beneficial Russian-Turkish ties in various fields."
Karabakh settlement
Putin and Erdogan discussed the implementation of agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh and coordination of joint actions for the socio-economic development of the region.
"The discussion of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of the implementation of the agreements recorded in the statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021, continued," the Kremlin noted.
According to the press service, "it is meant to coordinate the actions of Russia and Turkey in the interests of socio-economic development of the region." "Satisfaction was expressed in connection with the start of work of the joint Russian-Turkish center for ceasefire monitoring," the press service stressed.
Situation in Syria and Libya
According to the Kremlin, the Russian and Turkish leaders noted the importance of forming transitional authorities in Libya and also reaffirmed their commitment to an uncompromising fight against terrorists in Syria.
"Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted the importance of forming transitional authorities in Libya with UN assistance to ensure long-term normalization in that country," the Kremlin said in a statement.
"The topic of the Syrian settlement was touched upon. In light of Russia and Turkey's efforts to stabilize the situation in Idlib province, a mutual commitment to an uncompromising fight against the international terrorist groups settled in Syria was confirmed," the press service specified.
The Russian and Turkish leaders also expressed their intention to continue supporting the inter-Syrian political process, including within the framework of the Astana format.
Turkish citizens' deaths
During the conversation, Putin expressed his condolences to Erdogan over the deaths of Turkish citizens in Iraq. "The Russian President expressed his condolences to the Turkish leader in connection with the recent tragic deaths of 13 citizens of the Republic of Turkey in Iraq," the Kremlin press service said in a statement. Putin and Erdogan also agreed on further contacts.
On Sunday, the Turkish military conducted an operation in northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which "neutralized 48 PKK fighters." Republican Armed Forces in the operation lost several of its soldiers, also it was reported about the deaths of 13 Turkish citizens.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS