President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Sochi where he is paying a one-day working visit.
Delivering remarks to the press, President Erdoğan voiced his satisfaction to hold a meeting face to face.
Thanking Russia for its support in Turkey’s fight against wildfires, President Erdoğan extended his condolences for the Russian pilots who lost their lives during the efforts to extinguish the fires, and said that a friend in need was a friend indeed.
Noting that Turkey-Russia relations stood out in political, military, economic and commercial areas, President Erdoğan said: “Our trade volume is rather good now despite some partial rises and falls. I believe it will reach a better level. I especially thank you for your support in tourism. We are grateful that our Russian friends chose Turkey.”
AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Stating that the construction of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant would be completed on time, President Erdoğan said: “I believe we will open the first unit next year. Intense efforts are underway. There are 13 thousand people working there. 10 thousand of them are Turks and 3 thousand are Russian. However, almost all of them have been trained in Russia, which further reinforces our bilateral relations.”
“IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BACKTRACK ON OUR STEPS”
Underscoring that it was not possible to backtrack on Turkey and Russia’s joint steps in defense industry, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey gave appropriate answers to the questions raised during the 76th General Assembly of the UN on the issue, and said:” I especially believe that it will be highly beneficial to continue to further strengthen the Turkey-Russia relations. Our joint steps regarding Syria are of great importance. Peace over there depends on Turkey-Russia relations.”
President Erdoğan thanked President Putin for his hospitality.
https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/130729/president-erdogan-meets-with-president-putin-of-russia
